Peterhead BC have retained their A League status with a topsy-turvy 4-3 victory over Banchory BC in a playoff match. 

The match was to decide which side would be relegated to the B League after both teams finished with the same amount of points and the same games won in this season’s A League. 

Banchory will now drop down to the B League after losing a match they had led on two separate occasions. 

A hat-trick from Banchory striker Harris Anderson was not enough as two goals from Jack Hislop, one from Robert McDougal and a late own goal secured victory for Peterhead.

A tight game always seemed likely as both teams had recorded one win against each other in the regular season.

The opening goal of the game came for Banchory after 16 minutes. Luke Adamson’s deep free-kick found Anderson at the back post and he looped his header over the goalkeeper and into the net for 1-0.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first so it was no surprise when Banchory retook the lead after falling behind. A neat through ball found Anderson in plenty of space and he cooly side-footed past Cameron Fraser to make it 3-2.

The inability of both sides to hold on to their leads was evident and Peterhead equalised again on 58 minutes. A sharp turn-and-shot from Hislop came from nowhere and ended up in the roof of the net to level the scores.

It looked like extra time and maybe even penalties would be needed to separate these two teams but a decisive goal eventually came seven minutes from time. McGill’s driven corner was attacked by a block of four players and diverted into the net for 4-3. Peterhead striker McDougal was in the middle of that group but he ran away pointing at McGill so the last touch must have come from a defender.

Banchory were visibly deflated at the final whistle, and Peterhead were equally as ecstatic.