Stoneywood-Dyce discovered that just occasionally one man does make a side after KS Shahabuddin starred for Drumpellier with an unbeaten century and five wickets for 18 runs, ending the Peoples Park side's impressive run of wins, stretching back to May 22.

George Ninan conceded they had met Shahabuddin on the wrong day, but paid tribute to the visiting professional who had batted throughout his side's 212 for five wickets for exactly 100, including three 6s and five 4s, facing 132 balls.

He said: �He played well, but had Willie Anderson not dropped him when he was approaching 50, it might have been a different outcome.

�It has, nevertheless been a great run and had you given me a place in the top four at the end of May I would have grabbed it with both hands. As it is we will be in the top flight of the Scottish club game and looking forward to it.

�I thought Jan Stander sent out another reminder to the Scottish selectors with his 80 that he should be in the Saltires set up.�

The Stoneywood-Dyce response got off to a shocking start as they crumbled to 23 for three before Stander joined forces with Elton Willemse (37) and shared a half-century stand to keep alive home title hopes.

It was not to be and following the dismissal of Willemse no one in the Stoneywood-Dyce batting line up was able to stay with Stander. The home knock ended on 165 and 48 runs short of victory.

Shahabuddin was nigh on unplayable in his inspired spell, serving to remind the home support that there will be more where he came from when the Peoples Park side enter the big time next season.

All eyes will now be on the clash of the top two Heriot�s and Arbroath United who meet at Arbroath on Saturday, leaving Stoneywood-Dyce to reflect on what might have been, although having gone 11 games without a defeat is a great tribute to the club�s efforts this season.

This article first appeared in The Press and Journal and is reproduced with their kind permission.