Boss Peter Murphy reckons there are areas where Annan Athletic can improve, despite their superb recent form.

After a 2-1 defeat against Scottish League Two leaders Peterhead which ended a seven-game unbeaten run, Annan responded with a 3-1 win over second-placed Edinburgh City.

Aidan Smith scored a penalty but then missed another spot-kick before half-time when Gareth Rodger brought down David Wilson.

James McDonaugh’s men levelled eight minutes after the restart when home defender Steve Swinglehurst cleared against Blair Henderson with the ball ending up in the net as Henderson scored a fortunate goal against his old club.

But at Galabank on Saturday, the hosts re-took the lead through Swinglehurst’s powerful header before Christian Nade, brother of ex-Carlisle United star Raphael, made sure of the points.

“The conditions, again, weren’t great but we played the conditions very well,” said Murphy.

“In the first half, we had a penalty and then missed another penalty after seeing through about 15 minutes of pressure.

"Then, in the second half, we went out with the wind and we never really looked in any danger – they’ve even scored through our defender clearing the ball off Blair Henderson’s head.

“But I’m delighted. Christian Nade got his goal and Steve Swinglehurst got his goal, as well, so there were a lot of pleasing things but there are still a good few things we need to work on, as well.”

That result moved Annan 11 points clear of Elgin City, with Elgin set to play Clyde this evening.

Asked if he felt the Galabankies were sure of their play-off place now, Murphy said: “No, not at all, because Elgin play tonight against Clyde.

“There are plenty more games to come, so we just need to keep picking up points where we can, and we’ll see where that takes us. If you think you’re going to be in the play-offs, you get found out pretty quickly in two weeks’ time.”

Murphy also gave his taken on why he had been sent from the dugout by referee Craig Napier late in the game.

After the match, he said: “My player [Nade] went down with a head knock and I was under the impression that, if a player goes down with a head knock, the referee should stop the game. So, I questioned that when he eventually went back to my player.

"Now, my player has had to come off because he was feeling dizzy from his head knock, so I just asked the referee ‘Can I make a change because of the head knock’ and he didn’t like that.

"Then, I asked why I was getting sent off and he didn’t tell me why I was getting sent off, so I’m a bit confused myself.”