Gala 13 - 6 Peebles: Undersoil heating helps warm up Gala's promotion challenge

"That is what we want and that victory today was very important to us," he said.

"We had not played for several weeks, and we took time to settle into the game. But we are not there yet."

The win took Gala into second place in Premiership B behind Stirling County, who come to Netherdale in the final play-off game in April.

The defeat, however, saw Peebles lose valuable ground and left skipper Drew Moore contemplating an uncertain future with his club only on five points after three games.

"There is a bit to go and we are not out of it," he said. But the defeat of former Gala coach Gary Parker's side leaves his team hoping to pick up the scraps.

Unusually, Neil Warnock missed three penalty attempts, which could have seen Peebles 12-3 ahead at one stage. "He usually kicks well for us, and maybe it was one of these days," Moore said.

It was a credit to Gala that the club made use of the 'blanket', and to both sets of players, who looked rusty early on after the three-week lay-off. Scotland backs coach Gregor Townsend was an interested spectator and, like the sizeable crowd, would be full of admiration for the commitment of the players.

Peebles settled the better and their ball control and retention put Gala under pressure.

But Gala defended well and, arguably against the run of play, took the lead when Lee Millar slotted the first of his 13 points.

Warnock eventually found his kicking boots and levelled the scores before the interval.

After the break, Gala were the more aggressive side, and Millar's try in 58 minutes following a forwards drive and, with Peebles down to 14 men, changed the game.

Millar's conversion from the touchline to add to his penalty gave Gala a cushion and, although Warnock narrowed the gap, Peebles' push for a try in the final minutes to try and level the scores failed to come to fruition.

But the sleeping giant of Scottish rugby remains on course for a return to the top flight.

Scorers: Gala - Try: Millar. Con: Millar. Pens: Millar (2). Peebles - Pens: Warnock (2).

Gala: M Walton; G Young, B Dick, A Emond, R Livingston; L Millar, George Graham; A Johnston, L Roden, E McQuillin, Gary Graham, O Palepoi, E Dods, T Weir, S Cairns. Subs: L Pettie, B Murray, D Marshall, C Dods.

Peebles: D Anderson; M Cruikshank, D Clancy, D McLean, N Hogarth; N Warnock, D Moore; W Aitken, R McConnell, A Clark, D Harvey, A Brown, A Warnock, D Paton, E Jackson. Subs: M Carryer, D Brown, S Temita, C Blyth.

Referee: J M Burel.