The South were down to the bare bones for the visit of the Ton. Wullie Gibson was forced to start in centre-half with Paul McKay, whilst Max Johnston slotted back into right-back. Ruari Paton returned to the team on the right, with Josh Todd slotting starting on the left in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

 

 

Queens started the better side and should?ve really been awarded a penalty after only four minutes. Lee Connelly challenged for a cross but he was wiped out by the boot of Lewis Strapp. Despite clear contact, Alan Newlands didn?t award anything.

 

It didn?t stop Queens from trying though. Ruben Soares Junior was played through by Connelly but Jack Hamilton was on hand to make a magnificent save to deny Junior his second goal in as many games.

 

Hamilton makes a great save from Junior

 

A couple of long range shots from Johnston and Gibson caused Hamilton few problems, before the visitors passed up the easiest of chances.

 

A bombing run forward from centre-half Oisin McEntee allowed the Irishman to shoot from close range, only for Sol Brynn to deny the defender.

 

The ball dropped at the feet of Gozie Ugwu who sent a shot rolling towards the open net. For whatever reason though, McEntee, who was clearly in an offside position, added the final touch and the goal was ruled out.

 

McEntee denies his side a goal

 

The game quietened down slightly after this, although it was still Queens who were on top.

 

On 27 minutes, Hamilton denied Connelly from a tight angle before McEntee done well to nod Johnston?s shot over the bar.

 

From the resulting corner however, Max Johnston grabbed the games opener, swinging in the ball directly into the far corner. It may have came off of Hamilton?s hand but it looked on target from the original effort, so we?ll give it to 17-year-old!

 

Johnstons corner ended up in the back of the net without another Queens player touching it

 

Jaakko Oksnanen looked to equalise just moments later from a free-kick but Brynn was on hand to make a smart save.

 

The Doonhamers worked a good counter-attack on the 41^st minute, ending in Paton firing a shot from the edge of the area narrowly wide.

 

 

Queens the better side in the opening 45, although with only three outfield subs on the bench, the second period was likely to be tougher.

 

Gus MacPherson replaced Lewis McGrattan with Alex King at the break, though it was the South who continued to play on the front foot.

 

Alex Cooper swung in a cross that was met by Junior, only for the number 49 to see his effort cannon off the bar.

 

Two minutes later, on 52, Junior was denied again, this time by Hamilton, who was making some vital saves for his side.

 

Gavin Reilly and Robbie Muirhead were introduced after 56 minutes for Morton, replacing Gary Oliver and Kyle Jacobs.

 

After 65 minutes Queens went two up?or at least they thought they did.

 

Todd?s delivery was headed goalwards by Junior, only for Hamilton to claw it out from the net.

 

Hamilton denies what Junior thought was a goal

 

Newlands looked at his linesman, who looked back at Newlands, before the pair decided it wasn?t over the line.

 

Despite this, Queens continued to dominate proceedings.

 

Link-up play between Connelly and Junior allowed the former to have a shot at goal, although it didn?t trouble Hamilton.

 

The ex-Hearts shot-stopper was on hand a minute later, on 74, to deny Paton from doubling Queens? lead after the King of Dublin was played in on goal by Todd.

 

That was to be Todd?s last contribution just about, as he and Junior were replaced on 80 minutes for Ally Roy and Niyah Joseph.

 

Queens kept pushing forward, but it was Morton who found the back of the net first.

 

Reilly whipped in a cross that met the head of Alan Lithgow whose header nestled in the corner.

 

Lithgow shows his delight at his late headed equaliser

 

It was heartbreak for Queens, although the South should have put the game to bed long before the 86^th minute, when Lithgow scored.

 

It would be a test of Queens? character with the Ton in the ascendancy.

 

And Queens had character in abundance.

 

Two minutes after losing the lead it was regained through the King of Dublin himself, Ruari Paton.

 

The winger fell on top of the ball, before getting up, beating his man, and toe poking an effort into the corner from just outside the area.

 

Paton gets up and on with it as he slides the ball into the far corner to win the game

 

It was absolutely no less than what Queens deserved after a thoroughly enjoyable evening of fluent, attacking football from the South.

 

 

So after never playing away to Cove Rangers in our history, we?ll travel to Cove twice in one season. Our semi-final is scheduled for the 1^st/2^nd of March, with the winner taking on Kilmarnock or Raith Rovers at a neutral venue.