his support |
And it left both managers confident that they might just pull off the necessary result to go through to the fourth round.
But Queens will want no slip-up like they had in this match as they allowed Hamilton to make the breakthrough after just two minutes.
Alex Neil in midfield slipped the ball through as the Dumfries player stood appealing for offside, and Paul McLeod ran on to slip it past the advancing keeper.
Queens, with new players Graham Weir of Hearts and Ryan McStay from Falkirk both on loan, along with defender Shaun Dillon who was signed from Kilmarnock, could make no headway until the final 15 minutes of the half.
Then they really attacked Hamilton, and pulled level after 37minutes when a cross from Paul Burns was touched down by Weir, and Stuart Lovell slammed it home from short range.
There was little between the sides in the second period until the final minutes when Queens made a desperate bid for the points, and the Hamilton keeper had to make a double save to stop a shot from Derek Lyle and then Tommy English saw a deflected shot just shave the outside of the post.
Manager Ian McCall said he felt his Queens side should have taken all three points: "I thought we were really on top in a tremendous spell just before the break."
Hamilton manager Billy Reid said: "I thought a draw was a fair result, but once again injuries were a problem, and I had to push on my three substitutes just after the interval."
Dukes verdict: A vastly improved display by Queens but it will take time for the new boys to gel. The continuing lack of a cutting edge up front is still a worry. This chap Mullen looks a real prospect and is not afraid to take defenders on.
Dukes man of the match - Paul Burns - What a game this wiry wee player had. He was everywhere and his powerful display surprised everyone despite his deceptively frail physique.
|
