It was three-and-a-half years since his last appearance - and more than 20 since he made his professional debut.

But Carlisle United legend Peter Murphy rolled back the years by getting his boots on for Annan Athletic last night.

The Annan manager, 40, brought himself on as a second-half substitute in the Galabankies' 3-0 win at Brechin City.

Murphy took to the pitch in the last 13 minutes of the contest against at Glebe Park.

The long-serving former Blues favourite helped Annan see out victory thanks to goals from Iain Anderson, Darren Christie and Nathan Flanagan.

It was Murphy's first outing since November 18, 2017, when he lined up for Annan against Cowdenbeath.

It was Annan's 12th game since returning to action in Scottish League Two after the mid-season Covid-19 shutdown north of the border.

They sit third in the bottom five group in the division after the 18-game split, 12 points above bottom side Brechin and four above second-bottom Cowdenbeath.

Murphy has been at the helm at Galabank since the summer of 2017.

His appearance last night came nearly 21 years after he made his professional debut, whilst on loan from Blackburn at Halifax in a game against Macclesfield.

He joined Carlisle in 2001 and went on to become their longest-serving outfield player.