Disputed Penalty Kills Off Queens

Last updated : 11 November 2007 By Queens MAD

A worthy win for Morton in the end but it took a hotly disputed penalty award 13 minutes from time to set them on their way as Queens were looking to hold out for a draw.

Queens got off to a flyer after 3 minutes when Tosh took advantage of a hesitant Greenock side to put the Doonhamers into the lead. This was about the only moment of joy in the first half for Queens as the visitors took advantage of an inadequate home midfield to dominate the match.

The personal battle between Thomson and former Queens favourite Weatherson was quite fascinating as the latter was obviously out to impress his old club. The Greenock side really put the Queens defence through the mincer at times as the Doonhamer's obvious lack of pace was cruelly exposed.

It was no surprise on 24 minutes when Weatherson side-stepped Scally and drove a vicious shot into the net to level matters. At the other end Bingham was desperately unlucky not to score but his header slipped past the post. As the Greenock side continued to dominate they missed several good chances which they very nearly paid for in the second half.

Despite some neat play by Tosh, Queens so far had been very disappointing and were very relieved to be level at half-time.

Half-Time - Queens 1 Morton 1

With the introuduction of Gilmour for Mole, Queens at last started to compete and when Dobbie came on around the hour mark the Doonhamers were still very much in the game although Morton still looked the liklier side. Sean O'Connor had a wonderful chance to put Queens back into the lead but he blasted well over when it seemed easier to score.

Queens were to pay dearly for this miss on 77 minutes when Morton were awarded a rather dubious penalty when a Queens player was penalised for a deliberate hand ball. The Queens defenders were furious with the referee and the arguments raged for several minutes with Tosh receiving a yellow card. Russell made an expert job of the spot-kick to put Morton into the lead.

The match was now over and with the Queens heads now down and the crowd heading for the exits Weatherson slipped a pass through for Millar to put the icing on the cake for the ecstatic away support.

Queens can have few complaints here as the better team won on the day but there were two critical moments which saw the game slip away from Queens. There was the Sean O'Connor miss and of course the penalty award which will fuel debate for many days to come. It has to be said however it would have been rough justice if Queens had denied Morton the points as the Doonhamers were comprehensively outplayed in the first half.

Queens manager Chisolm will now be under tremendous pressure when the Doonhamers visit Peterhead in a fortnight on Cup business and any slip-ups will be unacceptable to a frustrated Queens support. He will have plenty of options with the news that Laughlan,Burns and Paton will be back from injury.

Queens Mad Man of the Match - Steve Tosh - Probably his best game for Queens as he tried hard to get his team going but got little support from those around him.


JT keeps an eye on Weatherson

Queens take the lead and Tosh celebrates

Tosh takes on the Greenock defence

The arguments about the penalty award
rage on after the final whistle