ANNAN Athletic suffered their third League One defeat on the spin at Gayfield as Arbroath continued their march towards the League One title Crown.
The Red Lichties showed some real quality throughout last Saturday’s contest to win 3-0 on their home patch and leave Athletic just a single point ahead of the relegation play-off spot.
Annan fell behind to the league leaders in the first half. As Ryan Dow raced forward he played the ball through to Fraser Taylor who slotted home clinically.
The Red Lichties started the second half in the same vein as they finished the first.
Annan’s best chance to level arrived in the 64th minute. Luca Rossslipped in Josh Dixon who cut the ball back for Aaron Brown inside the box.
After twisting and turning, the Kilmarnock loanee shot low across ‘keeper Aidan McAdams, only for Jack Wilkie to batter the ball clear off the line.
Minutes after Arbroath doubled their lead as Andy Winter headed high into the net following a cross from Wilkie.
With 13 minutes remaining more misery was heaped on the away side as captain Tommy Muir was given his marching orders. He received a second yellow for tripping Winter just inside the box.
Calum Gallagher stepped up to take the spot kick, but Jamie Smith guessed correctly and saved to offer Annan a glimmer of hope.
But three minutes from time, the ball dropped kindly for Gallagher six yards out, and he made no mistake in finding the corner to add a third for his side late on.
