The game was entertaining with both sides attempting to play football on the deck but Culter just about deserved the victory.

There was a half chance early on for the home side but John Farquhar saved well from the nippy Alex Davidson.

A few minutes later Andy Sim went scurrying down the right but his dipping cross was just too deep for Hugh Robertson.

Culter went in front in fine style following good build up play which culminated in Colin Craik sending in an ideal cross for the incoming Dod McBain who planted a firm header past the hapless Chris Irvine in the Maud goal.

A couple of minutes later Alex Davidson had a good chance to pull a goal back but his effort was easily saved by John Farquhar.

With Andy Sim prominent on the right, Culter looked to build on their lead but despite a barrow load of crosses the Culter forwards could not get on the end of any of them before Adam Wilson tried his luck following a powerful run but his parting shot flashed wide from distance.

Hugh Robertson then tried the same technique but his dipping effort squirmed wide of target.

The Deesiders were beginning to dominate without really threatening until a Dod McBain corner was narrowly put wide by Kevin Garioch.

In a rare Maud attack Ross Walker set up John Usher but he could only find the side netting from a good position.

With 35 minutes on the clock Culter went two up when Lewis McKimmie was poleaxed in the box by Steve Powell.

Allan Youngson stepped up and did his usual immaculate job from the spot.

Dod McBain almost got his second when Hugh Robertson picked out Andy Sim who flew past the full back before crossing to the Culter midfielder but on this occasion his header went over the bar.

The visitors were dealt a sucker punch in time added on in the first half when poor marking allowed Gibby Stephen to turn in the ball from close range from a John Usher cross.

Maud started the second period in determined fashion with Mike Rae trying his luck from long range but his effort did not trouble John Farquhar.

A few minutes later John Usher was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a shocking block on Andy Sim who required treatment before continuing.

With 55 minutes gone Allan Youngson went on a determined run before picking out Colin Craik but his header was well saved by the Maud 'keeper.

The Buchan men kept plugging away for the equaliser and a clever Gibby Stephen pass let in Alex Davidson who blasted inches over.

At the other end a decent Dod McBain corner was put narrowly past by Kevin Garioch before another good Allan Youngson run culminated in Colin Craik shooting straight at the 'keeper.

Hugh Robertson then tried his luck but this time his shot hit the post and ended up in the arms of the 'keeper.

Culter then sent on Mike Brown for the struggling Andy Sim but it was Maud who almost found the target when a thumping Ritchie Ligertwood shot was comfortably saved by John Farquhar.

Colin Craik then went on a great run but his cross evaded the Culter forwards.

In quick succession Culter pulled off Dod McBain and Lewis McKimmie for Martin Shand and Ryan Stott and the two subs combined almost immediately to set up a decent chance which was well saved by Chris Irvine.

With the final whistle just minutes away Culter played a host of passes before Adam Wilson fired high from just outside the area.

Culter: Farquhar, Sim, Garioch, Wilson, Rattray, M. Robertson, McBain, Youngson, H. Robertson, McKimmie, Craik.
Subs: Shand, Brown, Farmer, Stott, Cooper.