( Sinclair, Whelan, Gemmell ) ( Kerrigan, Morris, Dunn )
But today was different. Today saw Queen's get what they deserved for once. And we have John Gemmell to thank for that.
He was back to his best today John, hassling the Stirling defenders McNally and Rowe, squeezing every last drop of perspiration from himself, running himself into the ground. Aerially he caused Stirling the usual bother. And while not always cultured on the ball, John's rough-edged potential shone through. He doesn't always apply himself to games in the right manner, but when he does everybody knows about it.
Not that he was the only player giving his all. What infuriated about today's game was the clear fact that every player was committed to winning, but knew precious few ways of making that happening. Queen's build-up plays were largely stilted, and in defence there were holes that Stirling exploited in both halves. But the fitness of the team was obvious as they kept going right until the death, and won a point which feels better than any they have earned this season.
Failing to concentrate properly from the start of games has been a regular failing with the team. It happened again this afternoon after a bright start had seen Stuart Kettlewell get on the end of crosses from both Gemmell and Menelaws from the right-wing, the second having been created by the thrustings of Allan Dunning, fielded at right-wing back. After this Kettlewell header had been held, Stirling broke up the park, and Crilly found oceans inside the area to square across goal to the waiting Kerrigan who made no mistake. Cairns had been left totally at the mercy of the Stirling attack after less-than-watchful defending.
It would probably not be churlish to blame our recent loss of defensive solidity on the absence of the influential Steven Moffat, and given that we were also missing players of the quality of Allan, McCallum and Quinn for this match, excuses for defeat were always possible.
But it was too early to think of such things, even if all of this season's encounters between the teams had ended 1-0 in Stirling's favour. Queen's worked hard to get back into the game, and the nippy Menelaws found space in which to pass to Kettlewell for a shot which was blocked for a corner.
Allan Dunning may have been fielded in a more defensive position, but his strengths are as an attacker, and he showed this in 9 minutes when, after picking up on a loose ball, he teased the visitors' defence and attempted to send over a cross before it was obstructed. Further efforts from Whelan ( a wayward header ) and Kettlewell ( a weakly struck shot ) arrived before Stirling again struck on the counter-attack in deadly fashion in the nineteenth minute.
To show how avoidable it was, I was glancing at the match programme and did not anticipate any danger, therefore missed the build-up. However, a cross came into the box, the marking was poor, and Ian Morris sent his header home - that's all I can guarantee happened. Whether the defenders could explain what happened, I am not convinced.
A fourth home defeat on the trot now seemed likely, and some in the crowd were starting to become a little restless. So too was Johnny Whelan, who confronted Dunn in the centre circle after the latter had tackled him late. Dunn's name was the first entered in Mr. Fyfe's book.
David Menelaws found space in 35 minutes to turn inside the area, but his low shot was parried away for a corner by Hogarth. Ferry took the set-piece, and after it was nodded partly away, Richard Sinclair gathered and drove the ball through a ruck of bodies from six yards to bring Queen's back into the contest.
Queen's's zest was renewed, and the eager Dunning was chopped down by George Rowe close to the right touchline after he had released the ball. Rowe picked up a yellow. Further subtle probings brought no luck, and the second half was going to have to see a tightening up of defensive matters, as well as greater invention in attack, for Queen's to earn any pointage.
Stirling may have led, but they had managed to create precious few opportunities to back up this lead, therefore Mark Crilly's free kick a minute after the restart was one of their better efforts. Five minutes on, and a quickfire volley from Hay caused Cairns some panic as he fumbled before safely collecting.
The quiet Ross Clark delivered a cross from deep which Ferry headed down towards the far post into Hogarth's arms, and Kerrigan tested Cairns from long range. The same player was heavily involved in 63 minutes as Stirling extended their lead. Crilly foraged from midfield, and slipped a precise pass to Kerrigan: the forward was checked by Agostini, but the ball broke in his favour to let him unleash a volley which cracked off the crossbar. With the defence spectating, Dunn followed up and forced a fine save from Cairns with his right hand, but he could do nothing to prevent Dunn placing the rebound into the net. What, again, had the defence been doing? Such instances must make Kenny Brannigan wonder if his preferred three at the back system is really the way to play, and yet the use of a back four has hardly solved the defensive problem when used in recent weeks. Work on the training ground to iron out these deficiencies is surely necessary.
Stirling scarcely deserved to be two goals to the good, but a win for them seemed more or less certain unless Queen's could find something up their sleeves. The introduction of Willie Martin for Allan Dunning seemed a positive step, but the hints of discontent were creeping in with bookings for Gemmell and Agostini not necessary from the players' perspectives, albeit Mr. Fyfe was justified in making these decisions. The pace of the game fell away, and the outcome appeared decided as the game entered the final ten minutes.
But wait a minute, this is Queen's Park we are talking about. The phrase "closing stages" doesn't induce dread or resignation in our players, it seems to positively inspire them. Johnny Whelan certainly seemed re-born by the idea of re-birth, showing marvellous technique in turning on a Willie Martin pass and then sweetly sending his shot off Hogarth's left hand post and over the line. Goal of the Season contender, anyone? Just as well that form was not already signed and sealed. Eighty-three minutes showed on the clock: enough time left.
Despite this, an equaliser still looked a long way off with Stirling happy to play out time, and Queen's bereft of genuine ideas. One last effort was launched in stoppage time. The ball was released to Danny Ferry on the right side of the area. Danny's delivery had to be improved on earlier efforts, and goodness knows he's hit a few howlers in his time, but on this occasion the delivery was perfect. We dared to hope as John Gemmell climbed above the Stirling defence, and with a flick of his neck the ball cannoned off his head towards the upper corner of the net. It seemed destined to go wide, but no! the ball swerved a little, sneaked in at the post, made contact with it, ran along the goal and off the other post. Yes, it was in. Chaos ensued.
Some Stirling fans seemed unable to rise as the final whistle sounded virtually immediately, glued to their seats by the pain of a last-minute goal, while the Queen's support couldn't stand still for their excitement and relief. Such moments are the rewards for your patience and hope throughout the seasons, and for the players fitness levels and sheer effort.
Am I making too much of this result, which was only, after all, an end-of-season home draw? Probably. But by my research, it's the first time since I became a supporter that I have witnessed Queen's recover from two goals down to gain something from a game. It was worth the wait.