Dalbeattie Star 4

Gala Fairydean Rovers 2

By Callum Hodgson

at Islecroft Stadium

GAlA suffered their third consecutive league defeat at Dalbeattie on Saturday.

Despite going down to 10 men early on, the Braw Lads levelled twice at Islecroft Stadium.

But two second half goals from Dean Brotherston, meant the Fairydean Rovers went home empty handed.

After the whistle gaffer Dean Shanks said: “Everything that could go against us has gone against us.

“We went down to 10 men early on and for one of their goals, their boy put one in the top bin from 35 yards.

“It is tough, but that’s football.

“Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong over the first two weeks of the season when you look at the injuries we have taken.

“But we are doing everything we can. The boys can hold their heads high today — we were down to 10 for most of the game. We will keep going and it will turn for us.”

Star opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Lewis Sloan’s looping effort floated into the top corner.

But Gala responded well and could have easily equalised when Rhys Craigie fired a fantastic effort towards the bottom left-hand corner — unfortunately it was met with a fantastic stop from Ross Wilson.

However moments later things got worse for the visitors when captain Billy Miller, the last man, was shown a straight red card for bringing down Brotherston in the box.

Scott Milligan stepped up, but his shot was well saved by Jamie Shiel deputising for the injured Gregor Amos.

And it was game on when Gala levelled 12 minutes before the interval.

Josh Morris burst forward, rounded the goalie and slotted calmly into an empty net.

But the lead was short lived — about 100 seconds later Milligan took his revenge and converted from inside the box.

However, two minutes after the break Gala were level again courtesy of a glancing header from Morris.

Soon after, the home side thought they were back in the driving seat.

Liam Park’s cross found the head of Lewis Todd — but his effort was tapped over the line by Milligan who was in an offside position.

That was a warning sign. Just 60 seconds later Brotherston claimed his first of the game with a wonder strike from 35 yards.

Shiel made some good saves for Gala throughout the afternoon and reacted well when Sloan fired towards goal from close range.

But it was Dalbeattie’s day and Brotherston got his second when he slotted home in the 76th minute after some good link up play from Sloan and Park.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: J Shiel, D Johnson (T Patterson 81), L Stephen, B Miller, B Herdman, S Main, D Smith, S McKirdy, R Craigie, J Morris, K Mitchell (D Baxter 24). Subs not used: F Neave, K Watson, A Crawford.