Whitehill Welfare 5

Gala Fairydean Rovers 3

Kenny Paterson at Ferguson Park

IT was hard to work out who was the most shocked at the end of this bizarre but hugely entertaining game.

Was it Gala Fairydean Rovers, who were preparing to pick up a deserved three points after battling into a 3-1 lead with just eight minutes left.

Or Whitehill Welfare, who were resigned to defeat until receiving four early Christmas presents by Gala's defence in a crazy finale.

There were still some positives for Gala, with Hibs loanee Adam Watson launching a number of counter attacks with his surging runs, Ross Aitchison industrious in midfield and Stuart Noble producing the sort of finish which saw him score goals in league football for a number of seasons.

But their defensive woes continue, with Gala having conceded 51 goals in 17 Lowland League games - an average of three per match.

The bizarre nature of Saturday's game started just five minutes after kick off, when referee Craig Ferguson decided Gala's red and black kit was too similar to Welfare's maroon strips.

A quick stoppage to allow Whitehill to change into their blue and white tops followed, but this was the only chance the players had to catch their breath in a frenetic first half.

After Kieran Wright made two excellent stops to deny Ciaren Chalmers and Michael Osborne, Gala took the lead with Des Sutherland’s inswinging corner headed in from a couple of yards out by George Windram on 37 minutes.

But Windram played his part in the Welfare equaliser just three minutes after half-time as Osborne’s shot hit the arm of the ex-Duns man, with referee Ferguson awarding the spot kick which Dale O’Hara converted.

Further goals seemed certain as both sides threw players forward, with on-loan Cowdenbeath midfielder Harry Swann hitting the Gala crossbar and Whitehill stopper Bryan Young making a great save from Watson.

But Young was at fault as Gala took the lead ten minutes from time as he misjudged Sean Paliczka’s 40-yard free kick which flew into the top corner.

And two minutes later the points looked to be sealed as Stuart Noble produced a thumping finish to make it 3-1 and seemingly seal victory.

But there was plenty more to come. Scott Gormley headed in a free kick to make it 3-2 within a minute and then Chalmers made it 3-3 with four minutes left.

New signing Connor Brydon put Whitehill ahead as he waltzed through Gala’s defence in the 89th minute, before Gormley got his second in the 92nd minute.

Gala manager Stevie Noble said: “We were brilliant for 80 minutes but fell apart at the end. But we will bounce back.”

Whitehill boss David Bingham added: "I was really disappointed with the goals we conceded, as will Stevie (Noble) be, but the players deserve huge credit for fighting back in the way we did.

"It was some game and good value for the £5 admission fee."

Gala Fairydean Rovers: K. Wright, L. Stephen, B. Miller, G. Windram, K. Waugh, D. Bonnar, R. Aitchison, A. Watson, S. Noble, S. Paliczka, D. Sutherland (L. White 73).