Caledonian Braves 0-0 Gala Fairydean Rovers: Rollercoaster 90 minutes

Caledonian Braves, sitting in sixth place in the Lowland League, were expected to put Gala Fairydean Rovers to the sword bit it was a different scenario in the opening period.

Zander Murray was put through in the opening stage and, after his hat-trick at Gretna the previous week, seemed certain to score.

But the Braves keeper produced a fine save and he also foiled Marc Berry with a double save after the winger had burst through the home defence.

Braves also had their chances with David Winters’ powerful drive being parried clear by Gala keeper Fraser Morton.

Gala thought they had broken the deadlock in the 50th minute but Murray was penalised for a nudge on a Braves defender before rifling the ball into the net.

There were chances at both ends and Braves almost stole it right at the death only for their substitute to head the ball into the side netting from close range.

But a draw was a fair result and now Fairydean Rovers go into cold storage with a fortnight break before playing Stirling University at the Netherdale 3G Arena on Saturday, December 7.

Gala Fairydean remain in 11th place in the Lowland League, a point behind the students heading into the clash.

Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell said: “It was a good game to watch both sides tried to play football on the floor and tried to play two-touch, three-touch football.

“Our goalkeeper kept us in it with a couple of good saves in the first half.

“But we had two or three real gilt-edged chances.

“It just didn’t seem to fall for us but that happens in football.”