Defeat but it's very much still game on for Forfar

Annan hold a one goal lead following the first meeting between the two sides but Gary Irvine’s men, who beat Annan 5-1 at Station Park just a few weeks ago, know they have the firepower to overturn that.

They’ll draw confidence on both that scoreline and elements of their performance at Galabank in midweek to take in to Saturday’s second-leg tie.

Annan looked to take the game to the side who pipped them for second place from the first whistle.

Former East Fife forward Tony Wallace went close as the hosts pressed.

Forfar weren’t there to just defend, though, and Stefan McCluskey forced a decent stop out of home goalkeeper Greg Fleming.

It was a tight and evenly matched opening but the home side grabbed what turned out to be the only goal of the game shortly after the half-hour mark.

Charlie Barnes sent in a cross which was met by Michael Garrity who nodded home.

Forfar were fuming that the goal was allowed to stand, though, believing that the ball looped out of play before reaching Garrity.

Regardless, it was a lead which the visitors knew kept the tie more than alive for the second leg and they kept the home side at bay, refusing to let them add to it.

Forfar weren’t sitting back by any means and went close to levelling the tie in the closing stages with PJ Crossan and Scott Shepherd unlucky.