The 23-year-old has only just returned to the club after a year’s coaching soccer in American colleges.

But he proved to be the 55th minute matchwinner at Dalbeattie’s Islecroft Park to give Gala a welcome three Lowland League points.

Noble said:”The pitch was really heavy and both teams had to adapt to the conditions.

“We had a depleted squad with guys missing for one reason or another and had a 15-year-old and 16-year-old on the bench.

“But everyone did an excellent job and it was a massive effort to win the game.

“Kyle’s goal was an absolute raker and it was worthy of winning any matchg.

“The target now is to get a run of results going and continue the climb up the league table.” Jamie Gibson had the visitors best chance on 20 minutes set up by Stuart Noble but his low shot was brilliantly saved by Euan Drysdale in the Star goal.

The hosts’ first good effort came on 24 minutes when a free kick was flighted into the box and Wells put his header narrowly wide.

Ten minutes later Gala keeper John Dodds had to be alert when a shot from an inviting cross by Dalbeattie striker Park was well saved.

Gala responded well in the dying minutes of the first half but could not make the breakthrough despite a series of half chances including an Andrew Common header from a free kick that went just wide, and Noble failing to capitalise on a defensive mix-up when home keeper Drysdale’s attempted clearance hit off one of his own defenders.

The second half began at a higher tempo with Dalbeattie’s Anderson booked for a foul on Noble in the 52nd minute, however Gala were unable to take advantage of the resulting free kick.

But, just two minutes later, another free kick from Lee Stephen was knocked out to the edge of the box by the home defence only to fall for man-of-the-match Collins to hit a perfect drive in to the top corner.

The Fairydean Rovers pushed on for a second goal.

And they cam close on the hour with a Billy Miller free kick going narrowly over.

The hosts had a series of chances as the half wore on but couldn’t find an equaliser thanks to some tenacious defending and a great double save from Dodds to preserve the lead.

Apart from a late cross that flashed worryingly across the Gala goal in the 91st minute the visitors held on for a hard fought three points that lifts Gala Fairydean Rovers to 7th place in the Lowland League going in to the new year.

Gala FR: J Dodds, A Common, C McBride,L Stephen, P Hossack, R Aitchison, B Miller, K Collins, A Langford C Anderson 75), S Noble & J Gibson. Subs not used: S King, D Headspeath & L Howell.