Gala Fairydean Rovers 1

Arniston Rangers 2

David Knox at Netherdale

CALM head coach Steven Noble claims he's not worried about Gala's latest pre-season defeat.

The Fairydean Rovers were edged out by Gorebridge junior side Arniston Rangers on Tuesday evening on the Netherdale 3G.

Although looking a little shaky at times, the Lowland League team finished strongly following the introduction of Hibernian loanees Jamie Gullan and Adam Watson.

And it expected that both teenagers will feature heavily throughout the forthcoming campaign.

Manager Noble told us: "We improved in the second half when we made the changes.

"A lot of our players have been on holiday and they need matches.

"I'm far from worried - the signs are there of what we will be able to do once the league starts.

"With another game under our belts at the weekend we'll be ready for our first league match."

Gala rarely threatened during a disappointing opening half.

Apart from a Sean Paliczka, shot which was well saved at his near post by Jose de Tejada, and a Ross Aitchison effort, which was blocked by Ronnie Flemming in front of goal, there was little to cheer for the home support.

Arniston took the lead after only five minutes with Kieran Sommerville rising unmarked to head home David Dun's cross.

It should have been 2-0 on the quarter hour but Jack Fairgrieve smashed the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Melrose twins Gavin and David Brown had added plenty of energy to the Gala play but Arniston rarely looked troubled.

The seven changes at the interval, which included the introduction of both Gullan and Watson, made an immediate difference.

On any other day the Fairydean Rovers would have been awarded a penalty on 52 minutes when Fleming hauled down Watson inside the area, but the referee waved play on from the other half of the ground.

The equaliser arrived just before the hour with a bronzed Billy Miller, fresh from a fortnight on the beach, racing past two defenders to fire into the far corner.

But Arniston went back in front on 66 minutes.

George Windram blocked a shot in front of goal only for Myles Doig to fire the rebound through the grasp of Mark Walters.

Gullan showed his class on 82 minutes as he held off a challenge to turn on the edge of the area and rifle a powerful shot inches past the post.

Daniel Pattenden, who'd been recalled to duty to replace the injured Stuart Noble, went just as close with a volley from a similar distance.

But Arniston could have sealed the victory moments later as Doig blasted a cut back over the bar with just Walters to beat.

Gullan and Watson combined in the final minute of normal time to force a good save from Tejada.

And deep in injury time Kieran Ainslie's downward header from a corner bounced agonizingly over the bar.

Gala Fairydean Rovers. M Walters, G Windram, S Main (L Stephen 46), L Swaney, K Ainslie, D Smith (B Miller 46), G Brown (D Bonnar 46), D Pattenden (C Heugh 46), S Paliczka (S Noble 46 (D Pattenden 74)), D Brown (J Gullan 46) & R Aitchison (A Watson 46).