Last updated 11:36, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

TWO-GOAL hero Darren Johnstone headed home a last-gasp clincher to send comeback kings Annan Athletic into the history books as the first winners of the SFA Challenge Cup.

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3 EDINBURGH CITY 2

It capped an amazing fightback after the Capital side roared into a two-goal lead.

Steven Clee opened up the Annan defence on 25 minutes and Robbie Ross hammered home from 10 yards.

And when Ross grabbed his second ten minutes later there looked no way back for Annan.

Athletic were handed a lifeline just before the break when Graeme Bell’s shot struck Scott Hunter on the upper arm and whistler Steven Nicolls awarded a penalty.

Mike Jack’s spot kick was perfectly placed beyond Duncan Monteith and Annan were back in the hunt. Harry Cairney’men piled on the pressure in the second half and Johnstone squared it with a header from Chris Jardine’s inch-perfect cross.

Just when extra time was looming, Johnstone struck again, rising above the defence to head the winner past Duncan Monteith.

Delighted Annan boss Cairney admitted: “The penalty proved to be the turning point in the game, but to win the cup is good after our disappointing performance in the league.

Annan Athletic – Calder, Sloan, Inglis, Hill, Watson, Jack, Dunglinson ( Norval 81 min), Jardine, Bell, Johnstone, Short. Substitutes not used – Walker, Ruddick, Murray and Coultart.