Somerville’s second goal of the game on 81 minutes appeared to have secured Whitehill Welfare victory, only for poacher Langford to tap in three minutes into injury time and sent the home team and support into jubilant celebrations.

It was certainly an improved showing by Gala under the Netherdale floodlights, after their 6-3 humbling to Edinburgh City in the previous game, with manager Stevie Noble praising his squad, in particular rejuvenated right back Lee Stephen.

Noble said: “I thought the effort from all the players tonight was outstanding, I couldn’t fault any of them.

“Daryl was superb tonight in the midfield as was Billy Miller. Lee has been a revelation since the start of the season. He is much fitter this season and has made the right back position his own.

“Lee puts in so much effort to every training session and it is showing in his match performances.” Gala won the corresponding fixture 3-0 last season and could have been ahead within five minutes, only for Dean McColm to fire straight at Welfare keeper Bryan Young.

Somerville, who Gala showed an interest in signing at the start of the season, somehow failed to find the net from six yards out with no keeper to beat but the striker made amends with a cracking front post header past John Dodds on 20 minutes.

Craig McBride hit the bar with a six yard header soon after and McColm fired wide with another golden opportunity.

However, the Hawick man finally found the net with a sweet strike off the post after Devlin’s fantastic run and pass on 37 minutes.

Gala were ahead two minutes after the break as Stephen provided his third assist in two games with a perfect cross for Devlin to head home.

But on the hour referee Ralph Gordon judged Whitehill’s Kerr Dodds to have been fouled in a penalty box melee and gave a spot kick. Wayne McIntosh’s effort was saved by Dodds, only for the hitman to fire in the rebound.

Both teams pressed for the winner, and it appeared the impressive Somerville had won it when he latched onto a wayward McBride header and squeezed the ball into the net.

But Gala flung on Langford with four minutes of normal time left, and the ex-Kidderminister Harrier forward rewarded his manager when Jamie Gibson’s shot hit the post and fell to Langford to slam home.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, C. McBride, P. Hossack, A. Cosgrove, B. Miller, R. Aitchison, D. Devlin, J. Gibson, D. McColm (A. Langford 86), D. Bonnar (K. Lough 77).