Following on from an impressive 2-2 draw with Dunfermline earlier in the week, the Lowland League club emerged with credit and confidence in another entertaining pre-season fixture at Netherdale on Saturday against Scottish Junior East Super League high fliers Bonnyrigg Rose.

The New Dundas Park side provided a stiff test for the Gala men and took a well deserved first half lead before the Fairydean Rovers rallied in the second half to ensure the match finished all-square.

With boss Steven Noble on holiday, assistant Bryan Templeton made a number changes to the starting line up following the team’s efforts in the 2-2 draw with the Pars on Thursday. After a cagey start from both teams it was Max Christie’s Bonnyrigg side who began to take control and following a period of sustained pressure they took the lead with a well taken goal just after the half hour mark.

Dylan Clark flighted in a superb corner which Rose captain Ross Archibald met to head over home keeper John Dodds and into the net. The impressive Clark had earlier set up Hislop with a defence splitting pass but the Bonnyrigg forward blasted over from 10 yards.

Templeton shuffled the pack at half time bringing on Daryl Devlin and the former Edinburgh City man played a key role in the home team’s equaliser on 71 minutes.

Devlin picked the ball up just inside the opposition half and after a superb run slipped an exquisite ball through for fellow new-boy Ashley Langford who dispatched the ball beyond Rose keeper Hay with a well placed shot.

Jamie Gibson came close on a couple of occasions to giving Gala the lead whilst at the other end Dodds had to be sharp to keep out a cheeky back heeled effort from Archibald in the dying minutes.

Assistant manager Templeton declared himself happy with what he considered a fair result. He said: “We are pleased with all the players for their efforts and application in our pre-season fixtures so far. The point of these games is to get everybody fit and match sharp and the boys have worked hard in training and the matches.

“I thought today that Paul Hossack was outstanding whilst John Dodds had another great game in goals. What the last couple of games has proved however is that the new boys we’ve brought to the club have added quality to the squad and provided a massive boost. This gives both Steven Noble and I a headache in terms of who we select to start each week but it’s a good problem to have.” The club finish their pre-season itinerary next week with a visit to Arniston Rangers before they face Preston Athletic away in the first league game of the season the following Saturday.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: J Dodds, L Stephen, A Common, P Hossack, C McBride, G Robinson, B Miller, D Bonnar, (D Devlin 45) S Noble, S Paliczka (J Gibson 65), A Langford (R Noble 85) Unused subs; D Thomson, C Pinnons, K Hogg Bonnyrigg Rose: D Hay, B Murray, J Brown, A Horne, D White, J Stewart, A King, D Whitson, R Archibald, S Hislop, D Clark.