It was a much changed Queens side from Saturday`s draw with St. Mirren, but the outcome of the match remained the same, only this time it finished goalless. There were chances aplenty despite the scoreline, with the games main talking point being an elbow from Thistle`s Brian Graham to Queens skipper Gregor Buchanan resulting in an early shower for the experienced frontman. Thistle won the resulting shoot-out thougj, despite the best efforts of the Queens goalie.

Click here for the match photo gallery.

There were full debuts for Niyah Joseph, Nortei Nortey, Harry Robinson and Calvin McGrory, while Rhys McCabe returned to the side after missing out on Saturday`s 2-2 draw with St. Mirren. Stephen Dobbie, Joe McKee and Dan Pybus dropped out of the matchday squad whilst Wullie Gibson and Euan East were rested on the bench.

The visitors had two ex-Doonhamers in their side in Darren Brownlie and Connor Murray, alongside the experience of Ross Docherty, the Richard Foster and Joe Cardle just to name a few.

The game didn`t take long to get going with Thistle getting the games first big chance, perhaps unlucky not to go ahead. A cross from James Penrice was miscued by Buchanan, before Cardle got in at the backpost to tap goalwards. Images show that the ball may have crossed the line (none were particularly clear though), however the views of the officials were well blocked and they adjudged no goal.

The Jags were very much the better side in the opening half hour or so, Cardle going close again only for Obileye to block, before the impressive Rohan Ferguson made a brilliant double save from Foster and Shea Gordon in the box.

Another great stop by Ferguson

Lone-striker Connor Shields was very much living off scraps, although he was able to create chances going forward such was his work-rate. Shields and Fitzpatrick`s direct running at Thistle was causing issues, both going close with efforts from the edge of the area.

On 34 minutes the game was turned on its head after an absolutely needless elbow from Brian Graham to stand-in-skipper Buchanan saw Thistle`s number nine red carded.

Graham shown the red card

There was an argument that Docherty should have followed minutes later after a kick to James Maxwell after fouling the young left-back, but referee Peter Stuart brandished the yellow card and it remained 11 vs 10.

HT: QoS 0-0 Thistle

The young Queens side never really got going in the opening 45 minutes but playing against 10 men for the second 45 they knew they had the upperhand.

Thistle `keeper Jamie Sneddon, who was largely a spectator for the first period, was called upon various times to keep the scores level throughout.

Shields was getting the better of Brownlie often thanks to balls over the top of the Thistle defence, while Nortey was able to try his luck from range too.

On 62 minutes a Queens corner fell to Joseph who tried his luck from 12-yards out, but Sneddon was on hand to make an excellent save to deny the young playmaker his first goal for Queens.

Thistle substitute Zak Rudden was able to use his physicality to drag the Jags up the pitch, but only tested Ferguson on one occasion, an effort from range being collected at the second attempt by the young `keeper.

On 77 minutes the visitors had their best chance of the game. Docherty`s first-time volley from the edge of the area was tipped onto the post magnificently by Ferguson, before Mouhamed Niang`s rebound was collected by Ferguson on the line. It capped off a fine performance from Ferguson, whose work for the evening wasn?t quite finished yet.

Right at the death Queens then missed two great chances, after Gibson and Goss replaced Joseph and Robinson.

Firstly, a superb piece of skill by veteran Gibson allowed him to cut-back to Maxwell, who found himself unmarked on the penalty spot, but fired his shot well over the bar. Nonetheless, Queens continued to plug away at Thistle`s defence. Shields, who was moved out to the right-wing after Goss` introduction, found the big number nine with a pinpoint cross, but the ex-Abbey Vale man glanced his header agonisingly wide of Sneddon?s far post.

Goss climbs high but directs his header wide of the goal

It ended goalless and it was to be a third penalty shoot-out in as many games for Queens, however, despite the best efforts of Ferguson in the Queens net, misses from Buchanan, Gibson and Nortey awarded Thistle the bonus point in Group G.

FT: QoS 0-0 Thistle (2-3)

Despite the shoot-out loss it was another performance littered with positives for Queens to take from the game. There were run-outs for various youngsters, many of whom impressed against a much more experienced opposition.

It`s back to league action on Saturday as Queens travel to `local` rivals Ayr United for the opening game of the shortened Scottish Championship.

Thankfully, there`ll be no penalty shoot-out if it ends a draw!

Finlay Jack