Berwick Rangers denied derby win as late goal rescues Gala Fairydean Rovers

A hotly-fought derby match ended with both teams being forced to settle for a point as Noah Simpson 88th minute equaliser cancelled out a first-half strike from Berwick’s Josh O’Connor.

Berwick came into the match against their local rivals sat below their hosts in the table and searching for just their second league win of the season.

And it appeared until just two minutes from time that they would seal that victory and leapfrog Gala Fairydean Rovers in the league table, until Simpson’s late strike ended those dreams.

“It was a classic derby match,” Berwick boss Martin Scott said. “You could see that it was two teams desperate for a result.

“We scored a fantastic goal and it almost was a classic away performance. We probably weren’t at our best in possession of the ball, but defensively we were putting our bodies on the line and a couple of exciting moments where my heart was in my mouth.

“A point was probably a fair result.

“We recognised that during the game, we probably needed another goal, but we couldn’t quite create that opportunity or force that opening.”

Berwick goalkeeper Owen Hayward was voted as Man of the Match for his side, continuing his good record between the sticks of a much improved defence in recent weeks.

Berwick take on University of Stirling on Wednesday night, again on the road, before returning to Shieldfield Park on Saturday afternoon when they host East Stirlingshire.