Injury-hit Montrose played some fine attacking football, particularly in the first hour and should have been more than one ahead, but they allowed Annan to claw their way back into the game and after Hugh Davidson was sent off, Montrose had to hang on for a share of the spoils.

With Mark Peat still out, Greg Kelly continued in goal, his third appearance as a trialist.

Chris McLeod, Ross Gardiner, Steven Thomson and Keith Gibson were all on the injured list, so Jim Weir was forced into changes from the side which drew at Stenhousemuir.

Chris Hegarty came into central defence alongside Buchan and with Stuart Cumming slotting in at right-back, David Worrell was asked to switch to the left.

Steven Doris was up front alongside Scott Anson, with John Baird in central midfield.

John Maitland came into the 16 and was on the bench alongside Stein, Hunter, Stewart and Butter.

Montrose created the first chance in seven minutes. Baird lost his marker and got in a cross and the stretching Doris couldn't get the ball on target on the back post.

Two minutes later, Sloan cut in from the right and his shot was saved by Kelly.

Montrose had a scare in 15 minutes. Annan were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Jack fired the ball off the crossbar.

Montrose settled and began to play an exciting brand of football. In 23 minutes, a ball from Bradley released Doris and Summersgill had to save at his feet.

Two minutes later, Bradley and Doris were involved in a slick passing movement which ended with Davidson exchanging passes with Baird on the edge of the box and his curling effort went just wide of the post.

A Doris cross was headed clear before Anson could connect, then a diving header from Doris, from an Anson cross, was saved by the keeper.

The Montrose play was rewarded with a goal in 28 minutes. A long ball released Scott Anson and the young striker fired home his first goal for the club from 18 yards.

Two minutes later, Johnstone had a chance at the other end, but Kelly pulled off a great save.

Jardine chopped down Doris in 34 minutes but escaped a booking and Anson curled the free-kick just wide.

Montrose squandered a chance to stretch their lead in 42 minutes. Cumming sent a cross into the box, the linesman spotted an infringement and to the amazement of pretty much everyone, a penalty was awarded.

John Baird struck the spot-kick hard, but the ball smashed back off the post and away to safety.

A minute into the second half, Black did well to get in a cross which neither Anson or Doris could force home. The ball broke back to Buchan and his shot was saved.

The Montrose fans continued to enjoy the attacking flair of their side. Anson shot over on the turn from a Baird pass, then from another Baird pass, Anson sent a chip just over the crossbar.

In 65 minutes, Black sent in a cross and a looping header from Anson was saved.

Baird had a shot blocked after a solo run, then in 70 minutes, Davidson crashed a volley wide after a Black cross was cleared.

Annan made a double substitution and in 73 minutes, the two substitutes combined for a goal. Adamson crossed from the right and Bell dived to head home.

Montrose immediately sent on Jay Stein for Stephen Black.

Jardine was booked for dissent, then in 77 minutes, Montrose hopes of winning the game surely evaporated. In a midfield clash, Hugh Davidson swung an elbow into the face of an opponent and was immediately red carded.

Montrose had to reshuffle and in 79 minutes, John Maitland went on for Bradley.

The game threatened to boil over in 81 minutes. After Baird was fouled, Annan striker Johnstone reacted furiously, accusing the Montrose player of play-acting and he was booked.

Ten man Montrose almost snatched a goal, but Doris shot wide on the back post, then in 83 minutes, Bell had a glorious chance for Annan, but sliced his shot wide.

With their man advantage, Annan pushed for a winner. Bell headed over, then in stoppage-time, Adamson had a shot saved by Kelly.

Seconds from the final whistle, Paul Stewart replaced Baird.

Montrose: Trialist 6, Cumming 7, Worrell 6, Hegarty 6, Buchan 7, Doris 7, Bradley 7 (Maitland), Davidson 6, Anson 7, Baird 7 (Stewart), Black 7 (Stein). Subs: Hunter, Butter.