GALA Fairydean Rovers lost 2-0 to East Stirlingshire at Netherdale yesterday following 90-minutes of action with numerous chances created at both ends.
Etan Dougal almost opened the scoring midway through the first-half with a tremendous strike which rebounded off the post with the keeper stranded.
Gregor Jordan also went close with a header from a Danny Galbraith cross.
Galbraith almost gave his side the lead with a long range effort which was acrobatically tipped over the bar.
At the other end Rovers keeper young keeper Jack McLean was on fine form producing a number of quality saves.
Just before the break, Callum Hall found Galbraith and his cross was heads inches wide from 6-yards.
Shortly after the restart Galbraith went down with an injury and left the field to a standing ovasion with Brodie Watt taking his place.
Watt was quickly involved in the action and set up Sam Nicholson who looked set to score but his close range effort was blocked by some fine defending.
East Stirlingshire then took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 71st minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul which looked to have been committed outside the area.
Connor Greene dispatched the spot kick straight down the middle.
Four minutes later the visitors wrapped things up when Scott Honeyman made it 2-0.
Gala continued to fight but East Stirlingshire held on for the victory.
The Lindsay Highland Tours man of the match was awarded to Gala’s Gospel Ocholi and Andy Langstaff presented him with the bottle of champagne after the final whistle.
The full match report with reactions will appear in this week’s Border Telegraph.
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