Queen’s Park 1 Greenock Morton 0

The Spiders line-up saw Calum Ferrie restored to goalkeeping duty with Dane Murray back in defence after Scotland under-21 duty, Sean Welsh restored to midfield and new dad Zak Rudden leading the attack.

Jack Wills, Henry Fieldson, Louis Longridge and Liam McLeish moved to the bench where they were joined by a fit-again Will Tizzard.

The visitors kicked off against a Queen’s side that started with four in defence with Cammy Kerr, Niko Ujdur, Murray and Josh Scott taking those positions and Ryan Duncan on the right of midfield.

The hosts won an early free-kick on the left with Thomas’ delivery nodded behind for a corner that was headed away for another flag kick with Thomas getting a third dead ball when Ryan Mullen prodded other.

This time the Greenock defence cleared with Ujdur ended their hopes of a breakaway with a solid sliding challenge.

The visitors won a corner on six minutes however Ali Crawford’s delivery went out of the play at the other side of the pitch.

A fine Roddy MacGregor turn and move forward looked to have opened up the Morton defence on ten minutes however Rudden was judged to be offside as he chased the midfielder’s pass.

A minute later Scott darted forward on the left and sent a low shot whizzing past the far post.

With 17 minutes played a lovely move involving MacGregor, Thomas and Duncan set Cammy Kerr free on the right and his deep cross found Scott who was just off target with a header.

Sean Welsh picked up a booking shortly afterwards for a challenge on Owen Moffat close to the halfway line.

Midway through the opening half Queen’s had a let-off when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas sent Niall McGinn clear on goal with Ferrie making a fine stop before former Spider Grant Gillespie slipped the loose ball to Moffat who curled wide.

Gillespie looked to end a surging run by Thomas with a trip however whistler Lloyd Wilson played on as Queen’s went on to win a corner fifty yards further up the pitch.

Surprisingly, Gillespie wasn’t booked before the deal ball was curled off the bar by Thomas.

Ten minutes from the break Duncan chested down a wayward Morton pass 40 yards from the Greenock goal and charged forward before sending a low drive from the edge of the box inches past.

Gillespie was booked on 38 minutes for another late tackle on Thomas, that referee Wilson played advantage on, with Scott just unable to control Duncan’s pass.

Queen’s had a good opening two minutes later when Scott nodded onto to Rudden who found MacGregor with a headed pass six yards out however his parting shot flashed wide.

The opening goal came a minute from the break when Queen’s launched an attack after Ferrie had used his legs to deny Arron Lyall. Scott took the ball forward before THOMAS took over and he fed Kerr on the right.

Kerr slipped the ball back to his captain who took aim from 18 yards out and his shot whistled past Ryan Mullen with the aid of a deflection.

Half time – Queen’s Park 1 Greenock Morton 0

Two minutes into the restart QP came within inches of grabbing a second when Jack Turner found Thomas in the box and this time the striker’s deflected close-range shot came crashing back off the bar.

On 52 minutes Ferrie raced from his line and did more than clear as he played a delightful pass to Scott on the left to set up another attack before the full back was crowded out.

A minute later Queen’s hit the woodwork again as Rudden moved the ball onto his right foot 18 yards from goal and sent a fierce drive crashing against a post.

Murray leapt impressively to head clear as Dougie Imrie’s side looked to draw level at one end before doing likewise at the other just before the hour mark with his header travelling just wide.

Duncan slammed a Scott cut-back over before the woodwork denied Queen’s Park for a third time when MacGregor sent Scott charging free down the left from the half-way line and his low drive beat Mullen only to come off the inside of the par post.

Another chance for a second goal came and went on 70 minutes when a lovely flick from MacGregor found Duncan charging towards Morton’s goal and his low drive was blocked by the back of a diving defender.

Ferrie was called into action ten minutes from time when Lyall let fly from 20 yards with the shot-stopper doing well as he dived from his right to push the ball away.

Liam McLeish almost made an instant impact as a substitute with a turn and shot that Mullen did well to keep out of his goal with the Morton number one excelling again seconds later to keep out a Duncan drive.

Queen’s continued their pursuit of a second and it looked to be coming when Turner slid the ball across the Morton goal for MacGregor to tap in only for a yellow shirted defender to slide in and clear.

Morton looked to put on some pressure at the start of injury time with Ferrie forced to punch a long throw-in clear of his goal.

Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Dane Murray, Cameron Kerr, Nikola Ujdur, Ryan Duncan (Louis Longridge 90), Sean Welsh, Jack Turner, Roddy MacGregor (Josh Hinds 94), Josh Scott, Dom Thomas, Zak Rudden (Liam McLeish 83).
Unused substitutes – Jack Wills (G/k), Will Tizzard, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, Tyrece McDonnell, Magnus Mackenzie, Henry Fieldson.

Greenock Morton – Ryan Mullen, Cammy Ballantyne, Zak Delaney, Morgan Boyes, Owen Moffat (Jack Baird 80), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Cameron Blues 65), Ali Crawford (Jordan Davies 65), Kirk Broadfoot, Arron Lyall, Niall McGinn, (Alex King 75), Grant Gillespie (Lamar Reynolds 65).
Unused substitutes – Gary Woods (G/k), Logan O’Boy.

Referee – Lloyd Wilson