With the hosts going well in the Championship, Queens knew it would be a tough test, but they were up for the challenge and after just 49 seconds the home keeper, Brian Schwake got his first touch of the ball as Ruari Paton cut inside.  The striker’s shot could have done with a bit more power if he was going to really test the goalie. Queens had made a good start and a long clearance from Paton was chased by Gavin Reilly, but he was well marshalled by Liam Grimshaw.  Minutes later Calvin McGrory did well to get the ball across, but this time Reilly was ahead of the ball.  

Morton certainly knew they were in a cup tie but as they started to get to grips with the game, Robbie Muirhead hit a free kick low through the wall, but it was well held by Max Currie.  Jai Quitongo then hit a right foot shot low from 18 yards but again it was an easy save for Currie. Midway through the first half Morton became more of a threat and as another free kick was delivered into the box Murihead’s header was heading into the net before Euan East cleared off the line.  From a second corner, Currie made a point-blank range save before Jaze Kabia fired over the bar.

Five minutes later Dougie Imrie’s side did take the lead, after Iain Wilson’s mistake in the middle of the park, the ball found its way out to Muirhead, his angled shot took a deflection off McKenna and nestled into the bottom corner.  

The game was being played at a decent tempo with both sides going for it, although trailing Queens weren’t out of it and East’s shot was cleared for a corner and Reilly’s right foot shot stung the palms of Schwake.  Then with just over half an hour played, they were back on level terms.  Josh Todd played the ball over for Paton, he made a good run before forcing the keeper into making a one handed save but young Lewis Gibson was first to react and fired the ball into the net for the equaliser. 

Queens finished the first half strongly and had Morton rattled, Rico Quitongo’s cross was deflected before Schwake saved and Paul McKay couldn’t connect with McGrory’s cross. 

HALF TIME:  Morton 1 Queens 1 

The first chance after the break saw Quitongo (Rico) win a free kick as he was brought down by Grimshaw and McGrory whipped in the set piece only for it to be caught on the line.  

Ten minutes in Muirhead was at the back post as a cross from the left came in but the big forward headed just over. Playing into the driving rain McGrory’s free kick went unchallenged in the box and the keeper caught easy before at the other end Morton claimed for a penalty as Quitongo (Jai) felt he was bundled over by Currie. 

With the game hanging in the balance Reilly opted to take a shot when he had Paton and Connor Murray to his right before McGrory’s corner was played out for East, but he headed well over. Midway through the half, McGrory did well to win a challenge and set up Murray on the right, but Reilly waited for it to drop and unchallenged the keeper saved.  At the other end, Quitongo (Jai) hit a right foot shot low but dragged it just wide. 

Morton regained the lead as Muirhead scored his and their second of the afternoon with a well struck left foot free kick straight into the top corner.  No controversy over the goal but a debatable free kick in the first place, with Queens denied a free kick of their own in the lead up. 

As they battled for an equaliser, McKenna’s ball was headed back in the danger area by Todd, but Reilly waited for the ball to fall at his feet and the chance was cleared.  As the play raced to the other end Currie came out to block Quitongo (Jai) after he slipped the defence.  And then Murray cleared from the same player as he got on the end of Lewis Strapp’s throw in.

Queens were still pushing forward and McGrory and Todd both had shots blocked before McKenna’s cross from the right was too close to the keeper.  Minutes later his delivery was too high for Michael Ruth. 

Then with two minutes of normal time remaining, Queens were stung with another debatable decision.  Substitute, Harry Cochrane appeared to be fouled but didn’t get the free-kick and as he challenged Alexander King inside the box, King went down for a fairly soft penalty.  Grant Gillespie sent Currie the wrong way from the spot to extend the home side’s advantage. Morton made it four deep in added on time, with Queens deflated, King made his way from the halfway line, beating three or four players on the way to slot a left foot shot low past Currie into the bottom corner. 

The two late goals made it a flattering score-line for the home side and the 4-1 defeat wasn’t a true reflection of the game but it does mean our Scottish Cup run is over for another season.  

FULL TIME:  Morton 4 Queens 1