It was a much changed Hermes side which took the field for this PMAC Group Superleague match, trying to maintain their 100% record in their 8th competitive fixture this season.

However those aspirations suffered a setback in only 7 minutes as Banchory St Ternan deservedly took the lead after a mix-up in the home defence left FRASER MACKIE with the easiest of tasks to knock the ball past the helpless Lee Sweeney.

Worse was to come twenty minutes later, when the visitors sliced through the home rear-guard allowing an unmarked DANNY CASEY to touch the ball over the line at the far post.

Hermes now faced an uphill task as the lively St Ternan repeatedly took the game to a strangely disjointed home side.

Hermes finally shook off their lethargy and, as half time approached, they carved out a couple of chances without getting onto the scoreboard.

Half-time: Hermes 0-2 Banchory St Ternan

With only ten minutes of the second half gone, the Bridge of Don side rang the changes as Keith Wilson and David Stevenson replaced Allan Fuller and Richard Wyness

A minute later Hermes gratefully grabbed the lifeline they needed when LEE SMITH rose in the six yard box and powered a downward header toward the goal; keeper Kevin Stewart clawed at the ball on the goal-line but, fortunately for the home side , between them, referee and assistant agreed that the ball had crossed the line
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Without hitting the heights, Hermes were now putting much greater pressure on the visitors and their persistence paid off in 69 minutes when the Banchory defence was forced into a mistake, as a wayward header was played back into the danger zone and MICHAEL DAWSON latched onto the loose ball, clinically despatching it past the advancing keeper, to bring the scores level.

To their credit, St Ternan rallied and there was a period of stalemate, neither side having the upper hand.

Hermes, however, showed their resilience and, with the time fast running out, managed to force a winner.

There were only four minutes left on the clock when Craig Macklin played the ball into the box and JOSH WINTON made a determined run to the back post and managed to turn the ball into the net from a tight angle.

After a nerve-jangling five minutes of injury time, the home side were relieved to finally hear the final whistle.

Full-time: Hermes 3-2 Banchory St Ternan

This was Hermes poorest showing of the season and, in the end, only a display of resilience and character saw them over the winning line.

Banchory St Ternan started explosively and carved out a deserved lead. However, they failed to maintain the high tempo of the first half hour and Hermes gradually gained the upper hand.

This was a victory that owed more to grit and determination, than the expansive play the league leaders had demonstrated in their previous outings and, while a never-say-die attitude is admirable, a return to their earlier form will be required to get the better of more experienced opponents.