After two weeks with no competitive action Queen of the South travelled to Greenock to take on familiar foes in Morton. The sides met no less than three times at Cappielow last season, although the Doonhamers could only muster two draws (one in the cup, one in the league) before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat towards the end of the season.

 

Away fans are back

 

Harry Cochrane was handed his first start by Allan Johnston, replacing Euan East who dropped out of the squad. Lee Connelly returned to the bench after being absent for the Kilmarnock game, while Olly McDonald and Matthew Henderson were also among the substitutes.

 

 

The hosts lined-up with both Kyle Jacobs and Gary Oliver in their starting eleven, the pair having mustered over 200 appearances for Queens between them.

 

Morton had the games opening chance, Mark Russell testing Queens new boy Sol Brynn from range, but the on loan Middlesbrough ?keeper held comfortably.

 

Brynn was an immediately commanding figure 

 

The wet conditions weren?t doing either side any favours as the game was very much devoid of any quality in the opening minutes.

 

Gozie Ugwu, as expected, was the home sides main threat, causing the Queens back three all sorts of problems.

 

After 23 minutes though the game sparked to life from what felt like nowhere. Wullie Gibson cut inside the box before being brought down by Jacobs, gifting Queens a penalty.

 

After some deliberation between a couple of Queens players, it was Ally Roy who stood up to take it. His effort was saved by Jack Hamilton, however the rebound fell to the feet of Roy who tapped home for his seventh goal of the season, and first in the league.

 

Roy makes no mistake with the rebound

 

Morton?s greater height was evident for all to see, with Ugwu, Alan Lithgow et al always going to cause Queens issues from set pieces.

 

And it was a corner that the hosts levelled with on 31 minutes.

 

A Reece Lyon delivery was met by Kyle Jacobs at the front post, the former Doonhamer was left unmarked to volley home from close range.

 

Jacobs left his back post marker and turned up on the front post to flcik the equaliser into the back of the net

 

The home team continued to cross into the box looking to find Ugwu, but to no avail.

 

 

There was very little to separate the sides in the opening 45, although Queens no doubt felt aggravated that they were caught sleeping at a corner to let the lead slip.

 

The second half was a real spectacle though, and it was the South who drew first blood.

 

Wullie Gibson delivered a magnificent free-kick that Paul McKay got on the end of. His deflection ricocheted off of Jacobs meaning it was indeed an own goal!

 

McKay flick the ball into the goal via Jacobs midriff

 

Moments later Gary Oliver was downed in the box by Debayo, however the referee booked the Morton man for diving.

 

Cochrane and McKay give their opinion on the dive by Oliver

 

Lee Connelly was brought on for Calvin McGrory on 65 minutes as Queens went searching for a third.

 

Morton new boy Jimmy Knowles almost bagged a debut goal, but for Roberto Nditi who was on hand to deny the striker.

 

And on 72 minutes Queens were able to double their lead. A sublime ball through to Connelly from Cochrane allowed the rapid winger to run at Hamilton in the Morton goal. His shot was saved, but only as far as Ruben Soares Junior, who was on hand to tap home from inches out.

 

 

Junior nets the third

Goal celebration

 

Queens were playing well, but certainly not as free flowing as they have done at Partick or in the opening period at Motherwell.

 

Niyah Joseph replaced Cochrane, who seemingly picked up an ankle injury after 79 minutes.

 

The hosts kept pushing and were handed a lifeline on 83 minutes. A brilliant cross was originally collected by Brynn, but it slipped from his hands under a challenge from Alan Lithgow. The goal stood, but Gibson saw yellow immediately after for arguing with the referee.

 

Brynn is challenged by Lithgow - completely fairly if it is in the 1950s

 

Ugwu was joined up front by Lithgow for the closing stages, but a monumental Queens defensive display ensured that the three points stayed with the South,

 

 

Where the football was perhaps lacking at times, the drama certainly wasn?t. Penalty calls, plenty of goals and some tasty tackles allowed the 1400-plus support value for their money. But Queens fans will travel down the road happiest knowing that the team gave it their all and finally got rewarded with the points.

 

Next up for Queens it?s back at Palmerston as Hamilton Accies make the short journey down the M74.