Gala Fairydean Rovers 3

Preston Athletic 1

David Knox at Netherdale

RELIEVED manager Steven Noble somehow steered his unsteady ship through the potential hazards of Preston Athletic to creep closer to the course he set at the start of the season.

Saturday’s victory was far from plain sailing.

But the vital three points ended a sinking run of five defeats – and propels the good ship Gala Fairydean Rovers up to 12th.

Noble told us: “I’m pleased to get the win as we’ve had a bit of a bad run lately.

“We weren’t at our very best today but we dominated most of the match and deserved the win.

“We need to build on today’s performance and get some confidence back after the recent results.”

The aftermath of last weekend’s derby defeat to Selkirk has seen the departure of Ross Lamb, Michael Allan and Jack Hay from the club.

But Noble was able to welcome back his brother, Stuart, and influential midfielder, Ross Aitchison, from injury.

Both played their part in the opening goal with Noble forcing the ball through to Aitchison who was tripped inside the area.

Darren Smith despatched the 12th minute penalty to bring some much-needed joy to the Netherdale stands.

But the celebrations only lasted four minutes as Fabio Neto found plenty of space to head Greg Douglas’s cross into the far corner with Preston’s first attack.

Neither team was able to stamp any kind of authority on the match as mistakes and quick closing down prevented any flow to the game.

Smith tested Craig Pennycuik with a low freekick and Aitchison was also denied by the keeper as he raced into the area.

But it was the East Lothian team who came closest to finding the net again before half time with Neto curling a 15-yard shot onto the post-crossbar junction.

The Fairydean Rovers picked up the pace in the second half, pushing the visitors back for lengthy periods.

Aitchison and Ben Herdman both forced saves with headers.

But, yet again, Preston almost edged in front on the counter attack with Douglas smacking the post with a shot from outside the area.

The arrival of Taylor Hope and Danny Simpson off the bench brought more threat.

And they were both involved in Gala’s second on 75 minutes.

Simpson cut into the area from the left flank to square to Hope, whose effort was saved by the feet of Pennycuik. The loose ball fell kindly for Smith who drilled it low and hard into the net.

The former Airdrie midfielder was denied his hat-trick by a fine save just eight minutes later.

And Simpson also forced a good block from goalkeeper.

The strong finish from the home team was rounded off in spectacular fashion by Lee Stephen. The full back collected a pass some 30 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable shot beyond Pennycuik.

Noble added: “It was important for players like Stuart (Noble) and Ross (Aitchison) to get 90 minutes under their belts today, and Taylor (Hope) also got a run out after injury.

“It’s been a difficult week but we are getting back to where we want to be.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers. K Wright, L Stephen, K Waugh, S Main, B Herdman, A Watson (A Nicol 35), D Smith, S Bonnington (T Hope 67), S Noble, D McColm (D Simpson 72) & R Aitchison.