Whilst the final score would suggest that Airdrie were clear winners in this contest it almost needed a replay to split the two sides. Airdrie were undoubtedly the faster slicker and more skilful of the two teams but Queens determination and team work brought them close to earning a replay as a late flurry of penalty kicks saw Airdrie score one of their two whilst Peter Weatherson had his, the first to be awarded, saved. If Peter had converted his then the all out scramble for a last minute equaliser almost certainly wouldn't have been needed and the two kicks awarded to Airdrie avoided, however it could have been an even more flattering scoreline in favour of the Diamonds as the last of the three penalties, awarded when Ronnie McQuilter turned goalkeeper and produced a terrific full length diving save, hit the inside of Colin Scott's right hand post before coming back across the goal and being cleared to safety.
Queens started with a similar line up to Saturday only with Danny Patterson taking up the role vacated by Mark Angel who had been ruled out because he was not registered within the period normally required for cup matches.
Early pressure on the visitors goal saw Peter Weatherson through but having his shot well held, then Airdrie were given a good chance out of nothing as 'keeper Colin Scott was adjudged to have carried the ball out of his area when clearing from hand, the Diamonds front men though had a poor night as this was the first of a number of efforts that cleared the Queens crossbar by some distance. In sixteen minutes Airdrie took the lead as a free kick was given when Andy Aitken was deemed to have pushed Fernandez, the kick was taken very quickly and as the Dumfries defence were attempting to get into some shape Moreau rose above the defence and nodded home easily to make it 1-0. It didn't take Queens long to level the scores, Airdrie 'keeper Sanchez-Broto was caught out as both Hawke and Weatherson closed him down as he attempted to deal with a pass back, the ball came off Hawke who got to the rebound first and drilled home from a tight angle. Hawke and Weatherson combined well all evening, Hawke winning a fair number of aerial scraps and Weatherson working tirelessly as usual.
In thirty five minutes Queens had a large slice of luck as a free kick from the edge of the box came crashing back off the junction of the cross bar and the post then off the back of Colin Scott's head, it rolled across the goal line before McQuilter arrived to clear the danger. Peter Weatherson then made a terrific turn and shot which had the 'keeper scrambling and Queens were giving as good as they got in the closing stages of the half.
The second half began ominously as firstly Scott had to look lively to get down when one on one with Fernandez then a few minutes later disaster struck as Sunderland lost possession in midfield and Pilvi broke forward, his finish over the top of Scott with a dipping shot gave the 'keeper no chance. Airdrie's main threat was coming down their left and both Sunderland and Atkinson were having a particularly busy night, both doing well to concentrate on defensive duties whilst also setting up most of Queens forward forays. Down the left Danny Patterson was settling in reasonably well and was unlucky to see his effort from a tight angle when through on Sanchez-Broto well blocked, Queens took heart from this and had some of their best pressure of the match. In the middle of the park both Connell and O'Neill looked to combine well and it was Connell who almost set up Weatherson with a clear strike on goal as he broke through the Airdrie lines and squared back to the inrushing Weatherson only for a last gasp tackle to prevent Peter from adding to his seasons goal tally to date.
In a last throw of the dice Alan Hogg replaced Danny Patterson and within ten minutes the young former Ashington striker had won a penalty when he was sent tumbling in the box as he bore down on goal, it was this penalty that started the frantic last five minutes with two penalties, one missed, for Airdrie and one for missed for Queens.
So that's the end of the cup run for this season and league business now regains centre stage with a visit to Hampden on Saturday where three points is a must.
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