( Gemmell pen ) ( Shearer )
Kenny Brannigan had a lot of important decisions to make going into the match and he had to make sure he paced his team who will play Hamilton in a cup replay in just two days. The weather had cancelled last week's match at Peterhead, but Brannigan didn't have to worry about snow, sleet or hail going in to today's match. He did have to worry, however, about his selection. Mark Cairns and Derek Scrimgour were two goalkeeping appointments that the Queen's manager made and David McCallum was also brought in for some much-needed midfield cover. With Scrimgour on work commitments and Mitchell recovering from both poor form and an injury, Mark Cairns donned the number one jersey. McCallum was given his first match by Kenny Brannigan, and indeed his first game of any sort for an astonishing 21 months. Albion Rovers fielded new striker Mark Yardley up front in an attempt to bolster their attack.
Everyone in the stadium expected a hard fought match, and they got exactly that with some tough challenges being contested in the middle of the Hampden marsh. McCallum, desperate to shake off any cobwebs, released James Allan early on. The winger passed to captain Danny Ferry who shot over the bar. It was an encouraging start from the Spiders, and soon after, a superb Fallon free-kick had to be headed wide before panic set in the Rovers defence. Richard Sinclair and Ross Clark didn't show any fear in going into some 50-50 challenges and their bravery paid off as Queen's did manage to keep the majority of possession in the opening stages. Rovers forced their first chance in 8 minutes with a Jered Stirling free kick. The left back's cross was met by Cormack who could only head wide.
Debutant McCallum nearly capped a wonderful first match a minute later. James Allan slipped a beautiful ball through to the ex-Partick Thistle man and he bravely chipped the ball over the out-rushing Scott Shearer. As every Queen's fan willed the ball over the line, McCallum's hopes were dashed by a desperate Rovers defence that managed to clear at the last moment. It was all Queen's at this stage and John Gemmell's long range effort was stopped by Shearer. James Allan sped away on the left hand side, but he was abruptly stopped by a cynical challenge. The subsequent free-kick, taken by McCallum, found Whelan who could only head wide.
John Gemmell perhaps should have scored 5 minutes later after latching on to a long ball from Steve Fallon. The youngster hit his shot first time on a half volley and the ball wasn't too much trouble for Shearer. Gemmell, however, appeared to be unaware of the time that he had to steady himself before shooting.
Mark Cairns's first real involvement in the match was a crucial one. Diack found space in the Queen's penalty area and blasted the ball towards the keeper's goal. Cairns used his knee to make a brave block and he so prevented Rovers from taking an undeserved lead.
Ross Clark should have probably scored minutes later after another brilliant run from James Allan. His shot, however, was brilliantly saved by Shearer. The action was coming thick and fast and Queen's were denied a penalty. John Gemmell looked to have been held in the Rovers penalty area, but referee Hardie waved away all claims.
The momentum did seem to change and Rovers had a few good opportunities to open the scoring. Diack turned and shot from 20 yards and Cairns made a confident stop. Mark Yardley imposed himself in the area frequently and he did well to distract Agostini, but Mercer couldn't convert another goal scoring chance.
James Allan made another darting run through the centre of Albion's defence and it was up to Scott Shearer to block the ball before any damage could be inflicted. John Gemmell had another chance to score for Queen's, but his low shot was deflected out for a corner. That corner caused trouble for Rovers as Agostini passed up the best chance of the game so far. The big defender could only hit his shot against a barrage of men on the line and Johnny Whelan did his best to pick up the scraps, but he too was foiled, this time by Shearer.
As half-time was approaching, Rovers almost drew first blood. Firstly, Stirling's shot was well saved by Cairns and Lumsden also had an effort from a similar range sail over the bar. At the interval, the teams were tied.
Steven Canning, who was quiet in the first-half, was moved to a more defensive role by Kenny Brannigan, but that was the only change the QP manager made at the break.
A goal was surely on the horizon, but who was going to be the lucky recipient? Bradford had a shot go just past Cairns's right hand post. Clark claimed for a penalty as he felt he was being fouled in the Rovers box, but despite the youngster's best appeals, Hardie shook his head and waved play on. Johnny Whelan, playing his 100th game for the Spiders, shot straight at Shearer. At the other end, Paterson had an almost identical effort go straight to Cairns.
Paddy Gallagher came on in place of Canning and a minute later Queen's got their penalty. Agostini played the ball against Silvestro's arm and Hardie, after brief confusion, pointed to the spot. There was no doubt as to who was taking the kick as John Gemmell had placed the ball on the spot immediately. He held his nerve and his kick sent Shearer the wrong way and the ball nestled low into the bottom right hand corner.
Ross Clark, who had played bravely in midfield, had acquired an injury and young Stuart Kettlewell was sent on as his replacement. Rovers followed suit and brought on Dick in place of Silvestro. Kettlewell had a chance to score when embarking on a solo run, electing not to pass to an offside-prone John Gemmell, but it was Johnny Whelan who should have put the game beyond Rovers' reach. A scramble in Albion's penalty area was temporarily cleared and the ball ran out to Whelan's feet 10 yards from goal. His shot was bravely blocked, but the lead should really have been doubled.
Rovers boss Peter Hetherston, who was very active on the touchline, used another sub to try and forge a goal in the remaining 20 minutes. Bradford was replaced by veteran Kevin McAllsiter. The forty-year-old's efforts could not be taken lightly and he almost scored after he turned in to space and shot at Cairns.
With the clock running down, however, it looked as though youth would prevail. Kettlewell sent Gemmell scurrying away down the left away from the non-existent Rovers defence and he had his stinging shot blocked at the front post by Shearer.
In the latter stages, the game was reaching fever pitch, especially in the midfield. Stuart Kettlewell was a victim of a late challenge and the play in general became more frantic. McAllister had two more chances to score in the final five minutes, and luckily for Agostini, Fallon, White, Sinclair, and just about everyone else, the old-timer didn't have the power behind his shots.
In the last minute, Richard Sinclair was sent off by Colin Hardie. Sinclair, who had already been booked, was unfairly dismissed after allegedly kicking the ball away. To the naked eye, there didn't seem to be too much in the incident, but Hardie dished out the red before anyone had the chance to complain.
Hardie's involvement in the match sadly did not end there. Five extra minutes were added on at the end of the match, and Rovers duly took advantage.