Annan Athletic spoiled the occasion of Charlie Mulgrew’s first game as Kelty Hearts manager by coming from behind to win 3-1.  Liam McLeish’s debut goal was a dream start but three second half goals saw the Galabankies leave with all three points.

Signing on loan from Queen’s Park last week, McLeish got off to a cracking start at New Central Park just eight minutes in.  The striker latched onto a long ball from Callum Flatman, took a touch to get into the box and calmly finished past the goalkeeper.

Kelty Hearts came close to adding a second before the break. Jacob MacIntyre’s cut-back turned goalwards by Conor Allan but the effort was straight at Jamie Smith.  

It took Annan just five minutes to get back on level terms after the restart, forcing an error from Ruaridh Adams.  Annan’s aggressive press was met with reward after Adams’ clearance cannoned off Tommy Muir into the net.   

In the 59th minute, Wullie Gibson’s side had completed the turnaround with Muir on the scoresheet again.  After Gibson won a free-kick on the left, Paul Smith swung in a cross where Muir leaped the highest to head home.  

The points were secured by the visitors in the 68th minute from another set-piece.  A corner from the left was swung in and the initial header was cleared off the line, but Aaron Brown was first to react and fire into the empty net from close range.  

Reflecting on the afternoon’s display, Charlie Mulgrew told Kelty Hearts TV “overall we’re disappointed with the performance.  We’ll look back at the video and see how we can improve, it suits us as a team to have possession in their half and we didn’t do that enough.  We can do better and we’ll keep moving forward.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)