Parading trialist goalkeeper Mark Scally, as well as having recent signings Gareth Watson and Andrew Hamilton making their home debuts, Royalists, who have yet to record a win this season, gave a hint that perhaps brighter days could be ahead. And although the vistitors deserved their win, Hawick's positive, battling display made for a cracking game.

Apart from producing a winning side, Gretna had another winner in their large travelling support. The visiting fans rising to their feet from their seats in the stand to applaud their team onto the park. Cheering every good move before going into raptures when their side scored. And overall adding a touch of colour to Albert Park on a bleak afternoon.

With 12 minutes of the match gone, though, the Gretna supporters were silenced for a short spell when the Albert sailed into the lead. David Knox floating over a free kick to Andrew Hamilton, whose fine header had the beating of former Carlisle United keeper John Jamieson. This was the first goal that Gretna had conceded in the league this season.

In the 26th minute, however, Gretna grabbed an equaliser. Cutting inside from the flank, Tony Nicholson fired in a shot which diving Albert keeper Mark Scally did well to push away. The ball then broke to the feet of Daniel Rayson, who took his chance well in shooting home.

A minute later Gretna went ahead. David Carmichael stealing in from what appeared to be an offiside position before placing a shot out of the reach of Scully.

After Mikey Smith had headed a David Knox cross over the bar at the other end, Scally kept his goal intact with an excellent save from Steven Rudd.

Royalists were giving as good as they got, but a minute from the interval the home men were sent reeling when Gretna scored again. David Raynard flicking a free kick into the path of Rudd who found the net with a rasping drive.

The visitors opened the second half strongly with Nicholson and Rayson both squandering chances, before David Knox came to Royalists' rescue by heading a Rudd corner off the goal line.

Scally was then called into action again, pulling off fine saves from Rudd and Nicholson. Back came Royalists with Steven Wright sending a header wide off the target on meeting a Hamilton corner.

In the 74th minute, Gretna added to their tally. On latching onto a Nicholson cross, Ross Johnston surged forward, before rounding Scally and tapping the ball into an empty net.

Within two minutes of this, Hamilton had a chance to reduce the leeway but he blazed over the bar after being set up by Michael McKenzie.
Seven minutes from time, Johnston notched his second goal of the game with superb long-range effort.

Royalists, however, had the last say by scoring just on time when Rudd put through his own goal in attempting to clear a Gary Knox cross.

Summing up his side's show, Albert assistant manager Alan McKenzie told the Hawick News: "I thought we played very well, especially in the first period. If we had gone in at half-time just a goal down it might have made a difference to the game. But like the previous Saturday (against Fraserburgh] we lost a goal at a crucial time.

"We competed right to the end, and we are starting to make progress albeit slowly.

ROYAL ALBERT: Scally, Urey, Noble, Wright, Campbell (G. Knox), Watson, Stavert, Prowse (McKenzie), Hamilton, Smith, D. Knox.