Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Annan Athletic 2 Albion Rovers 4: League Two safety nears for Cliftonhill club after stunning win

Albion Rovers are a game away from League Two safety after an excellent 4-2 win away at second-place Annan Athletic.

Rovers enjoyed a brilliant first 45 minutes and found themselves 2-0 ahead of the side placed second in the league through Blair Malcolm and Scott Roberts goals.

But Tommy Goss' header in first-half stoppage time proved a blow and Tony Wallace levelled after the break. Late drama would ensue as Sean Fagan netted a dramatic late goal to restore the away lead.

Kieran Dolan scored in the 90th minute to secure a fantastic result for the Coatbridge side. It stretches boss Brian Reid's unbeaten run to four, moving into eighth and 13 clear of basement club Cowdenbeath with five games to go.

Malcolm's goal after 23 minutes was a thing of beauty. He stepped in from the flank after early Rovers dominance and curled a shot beautifully into the bottom corner.

Roberts doubled the lead eight minutes later with an effort just as important, even if it wasn't as pretty. His shot sailed through a sea of bodies before finding the net.

Reid's men were first to everything, which is why Goss' goal will be a source of frustration, given plenty of space to guide a header into the net on 46 minutes.

Wallace then made sure Annan - who would concede the title to leaders Kelty Hearts if they lost and Kevin Thomson's men won - got back on level terms 22 minutes from time with a fine low effort.

Rovers had enjoyed great spells in this game but it was the Galabank hosts who had started piling attacking pressure on, despite two penalty box stramashes at either end.

The third of those melees led to a goal six minutes from time, Fagan blasting home after numerous failed attempts at goal by his teammates, with the Annan clearances not much better.

Hearts loanee Harry Stone had to make a huge save for Reid near the end as he denied Athletic forward at point-blank range, allowing Dolan to score a fourth and decisive away goal.

It's a big result for Rovers, who host Elgin City next week, looking to secure their safety for another term.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.