AFTER a disastrous last few league games it was imperative that the Hive took all three points at home against a Dufftown side who were languishing second bottom of the First Division.
Scott Macgregor returned to a defensive three with Barbour and Mathieson, with Lucas, Sinclair and Cruickshank in the middle of the park, Rob Armstrong on the left and Hudson dropping back to right Mid after his recent goal drought. Paul Nicol was brought in to partner Glass up front.
The Hive started at a great tempo and dominated the early play but very nearly found themselves a goal behind. A ball into the Hive penalty area fell to Hudson, but his attempted clearance landed at the feet of Dufftown's top scorer Allan on the edge of the box.
With Allan ready to strike Barbour dived in to block the shot, leading the ref to point to the spot claiming he had handled inside the area. Allan stepped up and launched his spot kick miles over the Hive bar.
After another period of sustained pressure from the home side they found the breakthrough on 16 minutes. Rob Armstrong pinged a superb cross field ball to find Hudson on the right. Hudson drilled in a low first time cross which fell nicely to SINCLAIR who made no mistake finishing low into the bottom corner to net his sixth of the season.
Moments after the re-start Nicol should have doubled the lead for the Hive as he found himself clean through but dragged his shot just wide of the target.
On the 25 minute mark the home side should definitely have added to their lead. A through ball from Sinclair found Nicol clean on goal, but instead of going on himself he unselfishly squared it to Glass who rounded the advancing keeper and hit a low shot goalward only for it to be cleared off the line by Lamby.
However, Glass was to make amends for his miss two minutes later when his pass found CRUICKSHANK unmarked in the Dufftown box. A first time effort was parried by Taylor but landed right back at CRUICKSHANK'S feet and he smashed the ball home from close range with his left foot.
The ref blew for half time and the home side went into the dressing room a deserved two goals up.
After an impressive first half the Hive took to the park looking to build on their lead. However, they were like a different team and on another day could have been made to pay for their lacklustre second half.
The visitors began well and almost pulled one back instantly. A long ball into the Hive box was headed clear by Mathieson, but his header fell to Peter Fraser on the edge of the area who lashed his volley just wide of Smith's post.
Minutes later another long ball into the Hive penalty area was dealt with by Barbour but his clearance fell to Daryl Macgregor this time whose curling shot narrowly missed the target.
The Hive could have extended their lead and put the game to bed, with a goal mouth scramble which should have left Dufftown dead and buried.
However, the home side began getting hemmed in again and although Dufftown won a succession of corners they came to nothing.
The visitors were unlucky not to claw one back when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Hive area. Lamby stepped up with his trusty left foot but whipped his free kick just wide of Smith's post.
A Crighton cut back that just eluded substitute Lusengo was the only effort of note from the home side in what was a dire second half.