Live Commentary

92mins Jordyn Sheerin joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gavin Swankie.

87mins Steven Sloan fouled by Darren Thomson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark Docherty, Headed effort from inside the area by Kevin Neilson misses to the right of the target.

81mins Graeme Bell booked. Craig Wedderburn concedes a free kick for a foul on Graeme Bell. Mark Docherty takes the free kick. Corner taken right-footed by Chris Jardine from the left by-line, save by Darren Hill. Foul by Graeme Bell on Adam Strachan, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Darren Thomson.

77mins Graeme Bell joins the action as a substitute, replacing David Cox.

74mins Caution for Ross Chisholm. Ross Chisholm concedes a free kick for a foul on Andrew Aitken. Free kick taken by Craig Summersgill.

71mins Josh Falkingham is brought on as a substitute for Keith Gibson.

68mins David Cox concedes a free kick for a foul on Alan McManus. Darren Hill takes the direct free kick.

67mins Sean O'Connor challenges Darren Thomson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Hill restarts play with the free kick.

66mins David McGowan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Doris.

61mins Inswinging corner taken by David Cox. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by David Cox from the right by-line, Craig Wedderburn manages to make a clearance.

59mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John MacBeth by Adam Strachan. Free kick taken by Craig Summersgill.

59mins The referee blows for offside against Gavin Swankie. Andrew Aitken takes the free kick.

57mins Foul by Ross Chisholm on David Cox, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Chris Jardine.

56mins Peter Watson goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. Peter Watson challenges Steven Doris unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Craig Wedderburn.

52mins Bryan Gilfillan scores a headed goal from close range. Arbroath 2-1 Annan Athletic.The offside flag is raised against Gavin Swankie. Kevin Neilson takes the free kick. David Cox provided the assist for the goal.

48mins Gavin Swankie finds the net with a goal from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Arbroath 2-0 Annan Athletic.Adam Strachan provided the assist for the goal. The ball is sent over by Sean O'Connor, Mark Docherty takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Ross Chisholm.

46mins Steven Doris is caught offside. Free kick taken by Peter Watson.

45mins Neil Macfarlane leaves the field to be replaced by Mark Docherty.

44mins Sean O'Connor fouled by Ross Chisholm, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Steven Sloan.

42mins The ball is swung over by Steven Sloan, Headed effort from inside the area by John MacBeth misses to the left of the goal.

38mins Corner from the left by-line taken by Gavin Swankie, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Steven Doris misses to the right of the target. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alan McManus by Sean O'Connor. Free kick taken by Ross Chisholm. Inswinging corner taken by Gavin Swankie from the left by-line, save made by Craig Summersgill. Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin McMullan on Sean O'Connor. Chris Jardine takes the direct free kick.

36mins Kevin McMullan challenges David Cox unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Jardine restarts play with the free kick.

33mins Gavin Swankie takes a shot. Save made by Craig Summersgill. Paul Sheerin takes a inswinging corner to the near post, save by Craig Summersgill. Corner taken left-footed by Paul Sheerin from the left by-line to the near post, Kevin Neilson makes a clearance.

31mins The assistant referee flags for offside against Gavin Swankie. Craig Summersgill restarts play with the free kick.

24mins Steven Doris grabs a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Arbroath 1-0 Annan Athletic.Corner from the right by-line taken by Paul Sheerin, Alan McManus challenges Craig Summersgill unfairly and gives away a free kick. Craig Summersgill takes the direct free kick. Assist by Kevin McMullan.

22mins The ball is sent over by Gavin Swankie, Andrew Aitken manages to make a clearance.

21mins The ball is crossed by Kevin McMullan, Paul Sheerin takes a shot. Save made by Craig Summersgill.

20mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Doris by Peter Watson. Free kick taken by Paul Sheerin.

19mins Peter Watson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gavin Swankie. Darren Thomson restarts play with the free kick.

13mins Paul Sheerin takes a shot. Paul Sheerin takes the inswinging corner, Bryan Gilfillan makes a clearance. Save by Craig Summersgill. Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Gibson on Bryan Gilfillan. Andrew Aitken takes the free kick.

12mins Gavin Swankie takes a shot. Save made by Craig Summersgill.

5mins Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Jardine played to the near post, Close range headed effort by Kevin Neilson goes wide of the left-hand post. Corner taken by David Cox from the right by-line to the near post, Craig Wedderburn makes a clearance. Sean O'Connor produces a cross, Craig Wedderburn manages to make a clearance.

4mins Foul by Sean O'Connor on Alan McManus, free kick awarded. Darren Thomson restarts play with the free kick.

3mins Keith Gibson is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Craig Summersgill takes the indirect free kick.

Match Preview

Defensive problems for Arbroath Arbroath have defensive concerns ahead of the visit of Annan with Stuart Malcolm banned and Alan Rattray and Kieran McAnespie both out through injury. To make matters worse for manager Paul Sheerin, his defensive midfielder Keith Gibson is a major doubt. Sheerin's side lost first place in the table to Stranraer in midweek and he is determined to win it back, saying: "It was disappointing to lose our lead and with every week that goes by it is becoming more important to win. "You have to take care of your games, as if you lose someone will very quickly take your place. "We have recharged our batteries after a week off and are ready for what will be a formidable challenge from Annan." Fourth-placed Annan welcome back defender Aaron Muirhead from suspension for the trip. But midfielder Neil Macfarlane is struggling with a groin problem and striker Ian Harty has picked up a hamstring injury, with the experienced duo expected to be ruled out. The Galabank side have won at Gayfield already this season and manager Harry Cairney would be delighted if his side can repeat the feat. He said: "That was an excellent performance and it would be great to do that again but Arbroath came down to our place and won recently so we know how hard a game it will be. "Our last stay in fourth place last three days and I want this stay to be longer."

Formation:442Manager: Stevie Kirk

Arbroath

Formation: 442Manager: Harry Cairney

Annan Athletic

Darren Hill
Kevin McMullan
Darren Thomson
Alan McManus
Craig Wedderburn
Adam Strachan
Ross Chisholm
Keith Gibson
Paul Sheerin
Steven Doris
Gavin Swankie
SUBS
Steven Khan
David McGowan
Josh Falkingham
Jordyn Sheerin
Daniel Griffin

Home

Away

Craig Summersgill
Peter Watson
John MacBeth
Kevin Neilson
Andrew Aitken
Bryan Gilfillan
Steven Sloan
Chris Jardine
Neil Macfarlane
Sean O'Connor
David Cox
SUBS
Jonny Jamieson
Mark Docherty
Graeme Bell
Jack Steele
Aaron Muirhead

Match Report

Smokies blow for Annan Arbroath kept the pressure on league-leaders Stranraer with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to Annan. Striker Steven Doris scored his 10th league goal of the season to give the home side a 1-0 lead at half-time with a neat left-footed finish. Annan manager Harry Cairney replaced Neil Macfarlane with Mark Docherty in order to chase the game. The tactical switch did not stop Arbroath's top scorer Gavin Swankie doubling the lead shortly after the break, a near post strike his 16th league goal of the season. Annan pulled one back for the visitors when Bryan Gilfillan met David Cox's right-wing cross on 53 minutes, but it was a mere consolation. Annan are now nine points behind Arbroath, who leapfrog Stranraer to go top of the league.

Form Guide

WWDWWL Arbroath VS Annan Athletic WLDLWD

Last Meetings

Annan Athletic 1 - 2 Arbroath 15/02/2011 Arbroath 0 - 2 Annan Athletic 14/08/2010

Top Scorers

Arbroath G Swankie 15 J Falkingham 6 K Gibson 5 S Doris 5 D McGowan 5 K McAnespie 2 P Sheerin 2 S Malcolm 2 A Rattray 1 A Strachan 1 C Wedderburn 1 R Chisholm 1 Annan Athletic I Harty 7 BJ Gilfillan 5 K Neilson 4 D Cox 3 S Sloan 3 S O'Connor 2 A Muirhead 2 B Felvus 1 M Jack 1 J Steele 1 C Jardine 1 N Macfarlane 1

Goals

Arbroath Total goals 92 Goals per game 52 3 (For) 2 (Against) Period 0-10 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 11-20 mins 5 (For) 5 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 31-40 mins 4 (For) 5 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 7 (For) 4 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 8 (For) 4 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 7 (For) 6 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 10 (For) 6 (Against) Period 81-90 mins Annan Athletic Total goals 77 Goals per game 37 2 (For) 6 (Against) Period 0-10 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 11-20 mins 4 (For) 3 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 4 (For) 1 (Against) Period 31-40 mins 4 (For) 3 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 6 (For) 2 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 5 (For) 3 (Against) Period 81-90 mins