Annan Athletic took all three points courtesy of a well-constructed 51st-minute Kyle Wilkie goal as they claimed a 1-0 home win against Cowdenbeath.

Wilkie's effort turned out to be all that separated the two teams in Saturday's match where on-loan Cowdenbeath keeper Kevin Dabrowski kept the visitors in contention up until the final minute.

The on-loan Hibernian keeper made three stunning saves in the second half, but the Galabankies kept a clean sheet as they claimed the victory.

Annan started the match without suspended Steven Swinglehurst.

Other than that, manager Peter Murphy stuck with the same starting line-up which had suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat the previous week against Elgin City.

Cowdenbeath were without top-scorer David Cox and Fraser Mullen who is out with a long-term injury.

They started well and, in the third minute, Annan had Jamie Ballantyne to thank when the Annan full-back was on hand to clear Connor Smith’s goal-bound effort off the line.

At the other end, Scott McLean set Kyle Bradley up with the shot being blocked, before Archie Thomas tested Annan keeper Chris Smith in the 20th minute.

Cowdenbeath continued to look the team most likely to break the deadlock and, on the half-hour, an excellent away team move ended with Robbie Buchanan’s effort from the edge of the box going narrowly past the post.

Athletic were under pressure against a well-drilled Cowdenbeath team who forced a couple of corners in quick succession which were well defended.

Annan, however, had a great opportunity in the 40th minute when a Matty Douglas header from a McLean free-kick went wide of the target. It was a glorious opportunity missed for Annan to go ahead against the run of play.

If Annan played second fiddle in the first half, they certainly upped their game after the restart as they started to impose their authority on the match.

The vital moment arrived in the 51st minute when Jordan Holt combined with Nathan Flanagan whose perfect cross found the head of Wilkie who directed the ball into the top corner of the net to leave Dabrowski with no chance.

The goal gave Annan confidence and they started to put pressure on Cowdenbeath's defence, as Wilkie was denied by Dabrowski who pulled off a fine save.

Annan continued to look the more dangerous team and, after a fine period of play, Flanagan was denied by the post.

The introduction of Christian Nade posed more questions for Cowdenbeath's defence and it was keeper Dabrowski who pulled of a double save following a couple of corners.

Firstly, he tipped Flanagan's goal-bound effort over the bar, and then denied Nade from the resulting corner.

As the match moved into the final 10 minutes, Cowdenbeath started to look dangerous with substitute Jordan Allan looking menacing. And, in the 87th minute, the striker was denied by a good save from Smith.

Annan are at home to Brechin City tomorrow night.