It was all change in terms of personnel and formation as Gordon Chisholm made it clear that he was more concerned about the threat posed by Morton than that posed by Queens. The side was shaped and equipped to combat the robust midfield packed style of the visitors as three 6ft+ players were drafted into the starting line-up that featured the dreaded 3-5-2 line-up. Jim Thomson, Andy Aitken and Scott Robertson all added to the bulk of the side even though none had started a game for some time. On the bench were Barry Wilson, Jamie McQuilken, Neil MacFarlane, David Weatherston and Bryn Halliwell.

With such a packed midfield it was no shock that the game that followed was less than inspiring in terms of quality football however it did have its moments. It took ten minutes before anything of note happened. A corner to Queens with Dobbs at the back post allowed the most skillful player in the side to bring the ball down and shoot toward goal, unfortunately a defender managed to get in the way. Shortly after Paul Burns pulled up, he had been the victim of a couple of typical Morton challenges in the first nine minutes of the game and had to leave the field for good on the nine minute mark. He was replaced by Neil MacFarlane.

It was the twenty sixth minute before anything of note happened. Stevie Tosh made a mazy run into the box and was very unlucky to see his effort blocked by Cuthbert who had come off his line very well. Morton responded on the half hour with Lee Robinson making a good diving save to thwart James Grady's diving header following a Paartalu ball into the box.

Both Stevie Tosh and Stewart Kean then had good chances in front of goal but Kean's shot was straight at Cuthbert. With decisions going against him Scott Robertson protested too much to the referee, Mr Winter immediately raised his card as both vented their frustrations. From the free kick the ball fell to James Grady in the box but he managed to lift his effort over the bar and away to safety. Queens replied immediately with Stephen Dobbie sending a sublime ball through the Morton defence for Scott Robertson to run on to. A goal looked sure but whilst Robertson slipped it past Cuthbert he also sent it past the post.

On the stroke of half time the deadlock was broken. A long range effort was pushed away by Lee Robinson but the keeper collided with the post and clearly had a head knock. Referee Winter asked him if he needed attention but Robinson appeared to say he was okay, although he was still shaking his head. He took up a position too close to the far post and when the corner came in the smallest man on the park managed to outjump Jim Thomson and stay in front of Lee Robinson to head the ball into the net. Maybe Robinson should have had the physio check him out to make sure he was okay first.

The second half started quietly. It took a full ten minutes before there was any real action and it was a superb Ryan McCann saving tackle that prevented a shot on goal from Morton as the ball bobbled across the penalty box. Fifteen minutes into the half Martyn Lancaster was booked. McCann was then swapped for Barry Wilson twenty five minutes into the half. Five minutes later and the scores were tied as Martyn Lancaster opened his goal account for Queens as he nodded in a header at the back post following a cross from Bob Harris.

Jamie McQuilken was then introduced in place of Scot Robertson. Stephen Dobbie was next to threaten as he made space for himself, shot and forced a great save from Cuthbert.

As time ran out it was anybody's game as the play flowed from one end of the park to the other. As it turned out neither side could break the deadlock and the final score of 1-1 was probably about right.

Colin Johnstone

For all of the photos from the game today click on the link http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/queenofthesouthfc