The Maroons were comfortable at 21-8 and three tries at the interval, but in a scoreless second 40 minutes, they failed to capitalise on their advantage.

Grant Somerville seemed to have clinched the bonus early in the second half, but the Japanese referee took a long hard look and decided that the winger had been held up over the line.

“I think that he should have scored and he will be disappointed that he did not,” said his coach, George Graham.

But that apart, Gala had chances through their resilient pack, which was penalised more than once for bringing down maul.

“You expect to kick on when you lead at the interval, but we seemed just to stifle it.” The scoreless second half was due to stout Accies defence and Gala’s inability to cash in on pressure close to the line.

Bob Easson, Accies’ Director of Rugby, said “Our win over Ayr gave us a huge boost of confidence and we thought we could do well again. But it was quite tough and physically Gala just edged us.” It took Gala some time to get a foot in the game, falling behind to a Callum Ramm penalty.

Accies continued to press for a try before, in 15 minutes, George Graham took a quick penalty close to the visitors’ line and Ruairi Howarth was on hand for the scoring pass and Ewan Scott converted.

However, Jamie Farndale was then first to a kick ahead and raced in from halfway for a try.

Two tries in the space of five minutes saw Gala gain control. Gary Graham, back in the side after injury, was driven over the line before Grant Sheills scored from a similar position and Scott added the conversions.

Although Ruairidh Young was yellow-carded, Gala could not make the extra man count and had to settle for four points only.

With three matches left, Gala remain in contention for a play-off place while Accies drop to bottom place in the Premiership after Boroughmuir’s (Gala’s opponents next Saturday) win at Ayr.

Gala: R. Howarth; G. Somerville, C. Auld, E. Scott, G. Speirs; R. Jeffrey, George Graham; C. Shiells, R. Anderson, E. Johnstone, C. Weir, C. Borthwick, Gary Graham, E. Dods, S. Wilkinson. Replacements: J. Hilterbrand, L. Pettie, O. Palepoi, A. Emond, G. Hart.