Match Report - By Steven Mew

A lacklustre display from City saw them crash out of the Scottish Cup at the 2nd round stage against Annan Athletic yesterday afternoon.

Mark Wilson was looking for his side to continue where they left off last week, however City were simply not at the races for the entirety of this replay.

There was one change to the side with Matthew Knox coming in at the expense of Ryan McCord as Wilson kept faith in the 11 that started the second half and fought back from 2 goals down at Galabank last weekend.

In a fairly low key first half where City were unable to register a shot on target, Annan threatened on 24 minutes when some slack play in midfield allowed Kyle Wilkie to have a shot which ended just wide of the near post.

Two minutes later Lewis McMinn was called into action for the first time when he comfortably saved from Scott McLean and four minutes before the break, Kyle Bradley had a go from the edge of the box which flew inches over the bar.

Following a flat first half showing, Mark Wilson rung the changes at half time with Ross Brown replacing Ross Crawford.

The tactical shuffle didn’t have the desired effect as City continued to struggle going forward, with the visitors creating the better opportunities.

Scott McLean stung the hands of McMinn two minutes into the second half but he wouldn’t be denied again as he broke the deadlock just after the hour mark.

A fairly innocuous looking cross wasn’t cleared properly by Page and the ball fell kindly for MCLEAN who drilled a low shot on the turn into the bottom corner.

City fought back and immediately after the restart, Page almost made amends when he got on the end of a dinked cross from McManus but he could only head straight at Mason.

Central defender Steven Swinglehurst, who netted the winning goal the last time the sides met at Glebe Park was almost on the scoresheet again when his header was pushed away by McMinn.

The best chance of the game for City would fall for Matthew Knox on 74 minutes when he pulled the trigger from range however on-loan Hearts goalkeeper Mason dealt with the effort comfortably.

The home side were continually frustrated by the visitors time-wasting tactics as they looked to see the game out, with striker Tommy Muir entering the referees book for taking too long to leave the park when substituted eight minutes from time.

With City pushing for an equaliser, the Galabankies were awarded a penalty as the game approached stoppage time when McLaughlin brought down SCOTT MCLEAN in the area. The midfielder dusted himself down to take the penalty himself which he converted with aplomb, smashing the ball straight down the middle of the goal to put the game beyond doubt and seal a third round trip to face Edinburgh City.

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