Uniconn Park had passed an early morning inspection but underfoot conditions appeared far from ideal for this Superleague clash, with Hermes looking to keep the pressure on league leaders Banks o’Dee, whilst Maud were seeking the three points which would draw them level with their hosts.

After a bright start, Hermes took the lead in only nine minutes, when good battling by Michael Smith released MICHAEL DAWSON and he just beat Maud keeper Jonathan Dunbar to the edge of the box, lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper into the empty net.

Maud fought back and were level in 19 minutes when the ball ricocheted kindly in the Hermes box for DONALD FRASER, leaving the striker in the clear six yards out and he made no mistake in firing the ball past the helpless Lee Sweeney.

Despite the fact that the heavy pitch was beginning to cut up, both sides were trying to play the ball on the ground but neither keeper was unduly busy as the half wore on.

In 36 minutes Hermes regained the lead when an Erik Thomson corner was headed back across goal by Michael Smith to Josh Winton at the far post and his clever flick into the heart of the six-yard box was steered home by FRASER STRACHAN.

Just on half time Maud had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball appeared to strike the hand of a Hermes defender.

Half-time: Hermes 2-1 Maud

Hermes had a chance to extend their lead in the first minute of the second half when Lee Smith’s cross found Kevin Stewart who had taken up a great position at the back post, but the midfielder, in stretching to make contact with the ball, could only direct his effort across goal and wide of the far post.

Just on the hour mark Maud looked certain to equalise when John Willox was played through and found himself with a clear run in on goal. However, just as he prepared to shoot, Strachan somehow got back and pulled off a brilliant last-gasp tackle to divert the ball for a corner.

Michael Smith, who had assisted in setting up both goals, was withdrawn shortly afterwards to be replaced by Craig Macklin.

Maud were trying everything to break down the Hermes defence but the back four, brilliantly marshalled by Greig Pirie and backed by the safe hands of Sweeney, were coping comfortably with anything the visitors could throw at them.

As they pushed forward, Maud began to leave gaps at the back and Hermes had the pacey forwards to exploit the space they left.

In one such break Erik Thomson was played in on the right of the Maud box but Dunbar raced off his line to close him down and block his shot.

Phil Cruickshank came on for Allan Fuller in 73 minutes.

Maud continued to see a lot of the ball but were having little success in creating clear-cut chances and Hermes confidently saw out the final few minutes for a win and a vital three points.

Full-time: Hermes 2-1 Maud

This was a game Maud had to win to avoid falling further behind in the title race. Unfortunately for them, they found Hermes in determined mood.

Despite having played a hard-fought match, in heavy conditions, in midweek, the home side showed good energy right to the end of the ninety minutes.

Maud will feel they were denied the rub of the green but, in the end, they lacked the guile to break down the home defence and, when they did find themselves in scoring positions, they couldn’t find the killer touch in front of goal.

Hermes forwards, too, lacked their usual cutting edge goal but did just enough to merit a win.

However, the Uniconn Park side were indebted their midfield and defence, whose application and determination limited the visitors to a handful of chances.

Hermes face a tricky trip to Banchory next week which is never an easy venue for the visitors.