East Fife edge play-off first leg as Annan end with nine men

BBC News

13-05-2025

East Fife will take a narrow advantage into the Scottish League 1 Play-off final second leg after edging a five-goal thriller against Annan Athletic visitors who ended the game with nine men.The hosts led through Alan Trouten and Andy Munro, but Annan drew level through an Michael McKenna own goal and an Aiden Smith header before Munro snatched his second of the night to secure the win.By then, Annan's Scott Hooper and Leyton Bisland, along with East Fife manager Dick Campbell, had been shown red cards.The League 2 runners-up started brightly and, within five minutes, veteran top scorer Trouten was on hand to fire home from the rebound after Nathan Austin's effort was blocked by goalkeeper Jamie Smith.On the half hour, centre-half Munro bulleted in a header from close range from McKenna's floated corner.Making an early change by replacing Ryan Muir with Mackenzie Strachan paid off for Annan when veteran Paul McGowan's cross was skewed into his own goal by McKenna.The visitors, who finished second bottom of League 1, were level four minutes into the second half through striker Smith's glancing header from a corner.However, defender Hooper was sent off with 20 minutes remaining for wiping out substitute striker Robert Jones and Munro added to the visitors' pain by firing home from close range.The drama continued with Campbell sent to the stand for throwing his hat to the ground after disputing a refereeing decision and right-back Bisland was shown a second yellow card within three minutes of coming on as a substitute.McKenna had an effort blocked on the goalline in stoppage time as Annan kept the disadvantage to one goal ahead of their home second leg on Friday, once again being shown live on BBC Alba.