Daryl Devlin came into the heart of the Fairydean Rovers defence replacing centre back Craig Mcbride who had taken ill prior to the game.

And he was excellent at marshalling the back four throughout the 90 minutes.

Gala started the better and a Keith Lough corner kick went under the City keeper but there was no takers in the six yard box.

Billy Miller then had a 25-yard effort tipped over.

But City always looked dangerous and they hit the bar with a long range shot from Ross Allun.

Sean Palizcka was causing the home defence problems with his wing play on the right, but Gala failed to capitalise in front of goal.

In the second half City came out the blocks with intention and Gala keeper Steven King saved well within the first minute, diving low and turning the ball out for a corner kick from an eight yard shot from John Macdonald.

Allun then hit the post from a 15 yard strike with City enjoying their best spell in the game.

Kyle Collins replaced Miller and threaded a pass to Gibson who shot inches wide of the far post.

With the clock ticking down Gala’s efforts were thwarted when in the 81st minute when City’s John Dunn was allowed too much room at the edge of the box and his low 22 yard shot flew into the net to the delight of the City bench and relief to their supporters.

On 85 minutes Davy Bonnar was harshly shown a red card in what looked a 50/50 challenge.

Lough thought he had levelled but his turn and shot from inside the box saw Andy Stobie save brilliantly and City were relieved to hear the full time whistle after an entertaining match, stretching their lead at the top of the Lowland league to seven points.

With players coming back from injury Fairydean Rovers manager Steven Noble saw a big improvement from his team.

He told us: “We had to shuffle the team yet again, but I cannot fault my players today for their effort and with a little luck we could have come away with a point.

“Credit to City who have shown again why they are flying high at the top - a quality side all over the park.” Gala Fairydean Rovers. S King, L Stephen, A Common, D Devlin, G Robinson, B Miller (K Collins 70), R Aitchison, D Bonnar, S Paliczka, K Lough (D McColm 86), J Gibson (Noble 80), Subs not used: P Hossack & C Anderson.