( Gallagher ) ( Johnson )
Craig Taggart was handed a jersey for the first ( and only? ) time by Kenny Brannigan, but there will surely be quite a few more starts for Ross Conlin, fielded in Steven Fallon's sweeper role at the age of eighteen. John Gemmell began upfront with Menelaws, with James Allan still missing and Willie Martin disappointingly only on the bench.
One thing Queen's have still to eradicate from their game is the conceding of early goals. At fault seems to be a lack of concentration and awareness right from the kick-off, and Richard Sinclair highlighted this in the most painful fashion after 4 minutes. Comfortable 10 yards outside his own penalty area, Sinclair made a short pass lacking in any weight which Johnson picked up, scurried forward with and drilled beyond the advancing Cairns.
For a long time after this Queen's were worryingly sluggish, all too prepared to stand off the Montrose forwards when they encroached and lacking any conviction in their play. The best opportunity of a handful of partial ones for Montrose came in the 27th minute when Henderson was allowed oceans of space at the far post before Sinclair made up for his earlier misdemeanour with a saving block.
Queen's first piece of attacking flair was provided by Danny Ferry, stealing in on a misplaced pass and finding Gemmell in front of him; John's cross was cleared before Menelaws could receive it.
Gemmell was beginning to force his way into the game, after a clever turn blasting a formidable shot from 30 yards which McGlynn tipped wide. Canning then wasted a decent attacking chance, spooning the ball well over when a pass was the better option.
In an improved ending to the half from Queen's, Taggart's long-range header was caught under the crossbar, Gemmell took a knock in just missing a cross, and hopes had been lifted for the second half. Almost.
The game itself scarcely improved after half-time, with both teams playing lacklustre, disjointed football. Brannigan recognised the need for a little more heart in the team and introduced Willie Martin and Jamie White for Menelaws and Sinclair, and Martin's arrival in particular did invigorate the team. This seems to be said every week, and yet still Martin doesn't get his chance to start games regularly. Maybe Brannigan feels he is best over shorter periods.
Martin and Taggart both came close to scoring, and Kerrigan should then have secured the game for Montrose when he sent a free header well wide. Montrose had fallen into a defensive shell by now, but one that Queen's lacked the guile to penetrate. It nearly took an own-goal to bring Queen's level, but McQuillan's sliced clearance fell just past the post.
Paddy Gallagher came on for Craig Taggart in the 72nd minute, and two minutes later he had scored. Sadly he can't claim full credit for it, his original shot from the edge of the box being more like a softly-struck pass than a goal attempt. The ball took a deflection off a defender but goalkeeper McGlynn was probably still to blame for his lack of speed in dealing with the situation. A lucky goal, but Queen's merited one: at least on the basis that they should not have been trailing.
Those used to frantic finishes from Queen's would be forgiven for expecting a sustained closing effort from the home team, but in fact it was Montrose who had the lion's share of the late positive play. Kerrigan had one further reasonable chance, but dipped a volley over when well placed and later shot straight at Cairns.
Queen's had one final chance in the final minute: Ferry roamed down the right wing and neatly slipped the ball inside to Gallagher: his cross was well-delivered and almost found first Whelan, then Gemmell, but the ball slipped agonisingly beyond both.
So we bid farewell to Hampden for another season: it was not at all a happy hunting ground for Queen's during this one, and the disparity between many of the home and away performances must change if next season's league position is to be denoted by a smaller number. This season's could still be 7; the players will simply be expected to go all out for it next week, and if we still get beat, there won't be too many complaints - not even from me.
Queen's Park: Cairns, Ferry, McCallum, Sinclair ( White ), Agostini, Conlin, Canning, Whelan, Gemmell, Taggart ( Gallagher ), Menelaws ( Martin ). Substitutes not used: Dunning, Mitchell.
Goal: Gallagher 74.
Montrose: McGlynn, Donachie, Ferguson, Gibson, Christie, McQuillan, Webster ( Brand ), Johnson, Kerrigan, Henderson ( Sharp ), Thomson. Substitutes not used: Conway, Budd, Hankinson.
Booked: Christie.
Goal: Johnson 4.
Attendance: 556.