In truth this was not an impressive game by any means and had it not been for Hammell's moment of magic we would probably have been disappointed by our weak attacking. Aberdeen did offer next to nothing in the first half but we couldn't make much ground against their organised defence.
Hammell and pals celebrate a stunning strike
Higdon had a header saved – though fouled anyway – but we broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion with a goal from nowhere. Hammell had the ball some 30 yards out and though there were cries of 'shoot' from the stands, few could have expected the captain for the day to send his shot arcing away from Brown and crashing into the net just under the top corner.
We didn't really look like doubling the lead very often but spurned our one clear chance to do so when Carswell couldn't quite lift the ball over the advancing Brown. After the break we had our best spell of the game but Ojamaa, Higdon and Humphrey all spurned good opportunities to secure the points.
Our failure to convert here ensured we had an incredibly nervous final 20 minutes as Aberdeen threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Vernon forced Randolph into a wonderful save from close range and when the 'keeper misjudged the resulting corner Fallon flashed a header just off target.
Despite a series of long balls being thrown towards them, our makeshift defence of Page and Cummins, making his debut, survived. Special mentions also go to Carswell and Jennings – who finished with a head bandage over a cut – in the middle of the park while though Humphrey's final pass or shot was often appalling, he did enough to pose some problems.
The final whistle was greeted with big cheers in the home stands and our eyes now turn to Rugby Park next weekend where we can go second.