HOSTILITIES between the Yes and No camps have ceased briefly, to allow a charity penalty shoot-out to take place.

The Scotland United Against Motor Neurone Disease match-up saw leading figures from both sides of the independence debate take to the pitch to raise funds for the charity yesterday.

For the record, Better Together pulled off a 5-4 win but it is unclear whether the result will be repeated when the country goes to the polls on September 18.

Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins missed his team's final kick at Spartans' ground in Edinburgh, giving victory to the No camp.

The pro-independence team were first to take a spot-kick, with an assured finish from Paul Brannigan, the star of the Ken Loach film The Angels' Share. Things were evenly matched until John Park, assistant general secretary of trade union Community, pulled off a save to his right from Mr Jenkins' spot kick.

Better Together's director of research, Gordon Aikman, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) just over 12 weeks ago and has already raised over £60,000 and launched gordonsfightback.com - a campaign to fund a cure and fight for better care for MND sufferers.

Better Together research director and MND sufferer Gordon Aikman said: "I want to thank both Better Together and Yes Scotland for coming together and taking part in the shoot-out.

"Spartans Community Football Academy have also been amazing in helping with hosting the event.

"It's not often that you get the two sides of the referendum agreeing on something, so it means a lot that they stand united today to help fund a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. It shows that no matter what your politics, Scotland is united against MND. It is a death sentence for me, but if we keep raising money we can find a cure for future generations."

Speaking for the Better Together team, Labour MP Douglas Alexander MP said: "The team put in a great performance and got a good result, but it's important to remember that with Motor Neurone Disease there are no winners."

l People can make a £5 donation by texting "MNDS85 £5" to 70070.