Gala Fairydean Rovers 2

Dalbeattie Star 4

Kenny Paterson at Netherdale

THE right foot of Lewis Sloan once again sent Gala Fairydean Rovers to defeat at the hands of Dalbeattie Star.

The former Stenhousemuir midfielder scored with a final minute free kick last season to beat Gala, and he netted late on from another set piece to seal victory and end Fairydean Rovers’ run of four games without defeat.

In truth, Dalbeattie deserved the victory having lead 3-0 after half time as they capitalised on defensive errors by the homesters.

But Stevie Noble’s men were also a tad unlucky, with George Windram declared ill before the game, Scott Main injured in the first half and Darren Smith sent off in the closing stages for reasons only referee Alan Hogg knows.

Noble said: “We gave away some soft goals and it left us a lot to do against a good Dalbeattie team.

“We battled back into the game and at 3-2 I thought we could get something from the game.

“But Sloan is a very good player and there was no way back when he made it 4-2.

“Scott and Darren will likely be missing from the BSC Glasgow game (this weekend) along with David Bonnar who is still injured, so we may need to try to bring other personnel in to boost the squad.”

Gala were aiming for Dalbeattie’s fourth spot in the Lowland League after jumping to eighth thanks to their good run of form.

But it was clear from kick off that Star are a decent outfit, in particular their impressive right back Liam Park whose lighting pace saw him go 70 metres upfield unchallenged before his cross was headed against the post by Steven Degnan.

For a team who had scored 16 goals in their last five games, Gala offered very little attacking threat and were lucky not to go behind when Danny Dunglinson’s shot was deflected by stand-in goalkeeper John Dodds into the path of Degnan for a seemingly certain goal. However, on-loan Rangers defender Jason Krones managed to make a superb late block to divert the ball over the bar.

But Star’s frustrated supporters did not have to wait long for the opening goal. From the resultant corner, the ball made its way to the unmarked Park whose cross was back-heeled in by James Baty for a 36th minute opener.

And the second goal came just five minutes later. With centre half Main lying injured on the pitch, a simple long ball by Dean Brotherston – one of three on-loan Queen of the South players who made their Star debuts on Saturday – allowed Degnan plenty time to lob Dodds.

The game appeared finished when Sloan bundled in Park’s cross to make it 3-0 just after half time, and Sloan almost made it four when his free kick hit the post.

But Gala rallied, with captain Billy Miller at the forefront of their efforts. He firstly produced a good low save from Dalbeattie keeper Vinny Parker, before bundling the ball into the net after Parker failed to hold Ross Aitchison’s 20 yard effort.

And with ten minutes to go Gala were back in the game as Aitchison headed in substitute Sean Pringle’s cross.

The comeback did not last long though, as Sloan scored his second of the game, and his seventh goal against Gala in eight Lowland League meetings, with six minutes left.

Darren Smith then picked up his second booking, despite appearing to accidentally foul his own team-mate rather than a Dalbeattie player, to put an end to Gala’s unbeaten run.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, L. Swaney (S. Bonnington 61), S. Main (S. Pringle 43), J. Krones, B. Miller, D. Smith, R. Aitchison, S. Noble, D. Sutherland, S. Paliczka.