The game went ahead despite the freezing conditions around the Ythan Estuary – the firm pitch providing an ideal surface for fast flowing football.

Newburgh looked the more dangerous straight from the kick off. They worked hard to close down the Hilton players and broke forward quickly. The visitors held out well against the initial onslaught, but eventually succumbed to a well worked move on 20 minutes. Rennie took a quick throw in from the right.

Palla flicked a neat layoff into the path of Black, who struck a crisp shot from the edge of the box low into the net. 1-0 Newburgh.

The game continued a ferocious pace; both teams providing entertaining, passing football. Player-manager Henderson, playing his first game in the Newburgh goal, pulled off a finger tip save on 25 minutes to deny Scott from pulling Hilton level. Palla put the ball over the Hilton bar from 4 yards out on 35 minutes, when it looked easier for the free scoring striker to hit the net.

Henderson denied Scott again on 43 minutes, when he tipped the striker's close range shot around the post. Newburgh were thwarted right on the stroke of half time when Cowie, in the Hilton goal, managed to get down low to his right and punch away a shot that looked certain to go in. Half time score 1-0.

Hilton came out fighting in the second half and pushed men forward in an attempt to get back into the match. The strategy almost backfired on 50 minutes when Scott broke free on the Newburgh right and his low shot was only partially saved by the Hilton keeper. Baron pounced on the loose ball and stroked it into the open goal, only to be judged offside by the referee.

The visitors were in full flow, but Newburgh continued to work hard in defence to keep them out. It still took two fingertip saves from Henderson, one on 55 minutes and one on 71 minutes, to maintain the home side's slender advantage.

Carr came on for Scott on 73 minutes and the Newburgh striker made an instant impact. He won he ball out on the right wing and squared a well waited pass to Palla, who coolly side footed his shot past the advancing keeper. 2-0 Newburgh.

Hilton responded by replacing a defender with a striker and going all out for attack. Their positive tactics were rewarded with a goal on 80 minutes. Newburgh failed to clear a low corner and Fraser was the first to react when the ball broke free in the box. His shot from 8 yards giving Henderson no chance.

The last 10 minutes were hectic with some unsavory tackles flying in from the visitors as they fought hard to equalise. They won a soft free kick on the edge of the Newburgh box on 86 minutes, and Sheriff placed his shot neatly into the top corner of the home side's goal to make it 2-2.

Both sides continued to push for a winner and Hilton almost pulled it off when they hit the post on 87 minutes. But the game was destined to be a draw and the only other incident was a very late challenge by Hilton fullback Mair in the closing seconds that earned him a straight red card and brought both team's benches briefly onto the pitch, more in an attempt to warm up than any real malice.

Newburgh coach, Bruce Finnie said after the game: "I'm disappointed we didn't hold out for the win, but it's a good performance by us. We've come a long way this season."
Newburgh's next game is this Saturday at home to Kemnay Youth.