GALA Fairydean Rovers travel to the capital tonight to face on form Civil Service Strollers at Christie Gillies Park in the second round of Lowland League fixtures.

Rovers were deprived of an opening day victory against Caledonian Braves by an unlucky injury time equaliser at Strathclyde Park on Saturday.

Marc Berry gave Gala the lead in the 13th minute, but Luke Main equalised for the Braves just before half-time.

Shortly after the restart Gala’s captain Gareth Rodger was harshly shown a red card after having been deemed to have committed a foul which deprived Braves of a goal scoring opportunity.

The club have appealed the decision and an SFA fast track hearing will be heard before tonight’s match.

The sending off swung the pendulum in Braves favour as they took a grip of the game.

Border Telegraph: Danny Galbraith in action for Gala Fairydean Rovers against Caledonian Braves on Saturday July 23. Photo Thomas Brown Danny Galbraith in action for Gala Fairydean Rovers against Caledonian Braves on Saturday July 23. Photo Thomas Brown

However the introduction of last season's top scorer Zander Murray gave Gala boost up front and he was on hand to turn a Danny Galbraith corner into the net in the 77th minute.

Gala looked comfortable holding on until the injury time drama gave Braves a point.

Afterwards manager Martin Scott said: “It was a tough one to take, conceding a fluke goal with the last kick, but I can take plenty positives from the game.

“For the first 35-minutes we pressed well and controlled the tempo. Danny Galbraith put in a few great deliveries, and we could have gone two or three up before they managed to get a foothold in the game.

“Just after half time our captain Gareth (Rodger) was shown a straight red but it was just a coming together. We were up against it but we continued to play football and create chances then Zander score to give us a 2-1 lead but as I said they scored with a fluke at the end.

“Everyone is looking to get a good start in the is league so although we wanted the win it was important not to get beat and I told the players that.

“Civil Service Strollers will be a different type of game. Their manager Gary Jardine will have them well prepared, and they will be full of confidence after beating Rangers in their opening game on Saturday.

“They are always well organised and consistent and are certainly a top-half team.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers are away to Cowdenbeath on Saturday July 30 then face another trip to the capital to face are al Edinburgh University next Tuesday August 2.