13-05-2025
East Fife edge play-off first leg as Annan end with nine men
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 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 then, Annan's Scott Hooper and Leyton Bisland, along with East Fife manager Dick Campbell, had been shown red 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 the half hour, centre-half Munro bulleted in a header from close range from McKenna's floated 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 visitors, who finished second bottom of League 1, were level four minutes into the second half through striker Smith's glancing header from a 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 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 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.
