Queens were unchanged from Tuesday night`s 1-1 stalemate with Dunfermline. A couple of familiar faces were in the Morton line-up. Andy Murdoch started in the Jim Duffy`s midfield- whilst Gary Oliver was on the bench.

 

Queens went into the game seven points behind Duffy`s men, but with Morton having played two games less, it was must-win to keep their slim chances of play-off football come May.

 

It was going to be a tough ask for Naysmith`s men as Morton were on a twelve match undefeated streak at home in the Championship this season.

 

This record has helped Morton comfortably sit in the promotion play-offs all season and with manager Duffy in the running for the managerial vacancy at Premiership outfit Motherwell.  

 

After an even opening few minutes, Queens made the best of slack defending when Stephen Dobbie made a quick pass to Lyndon Dykes on the left. Dykes` delayed cross found Dobbie but his ball back across goal was tame and cleared.

 

Up the other end Queens goalkeeper Lee Robinson was put under a ton of pressure by Shankland and his kick was blocked by the on-loan Aberdeen forward.

 

The first real chance of the evening fell to on-loan Celtic midfielder Joe Thomson. Great play on the right from Dom Thomas seen his delivery met by the head of Thomson but goalkeeper Derek Gaston pulled off a fantastic one-handed save. 

 

Gaston bats away the early effort from Thomson

 

The hosts had their first chance to grab the first goal when Dykes was penalised of handling the ball by referee Craig Charleston. Lively midfielder Ross Forbes, who has scored some sublime goals against the Doonhamers this season, uncharacteristically blasted his attempt over the bar and into the terracing. 

 

Queens went up the other end and the ball was fed to John Rankin, his cross was poorly cleared only to the awaiting Dobbie but defender Michael Doyle got his body in the way and deflected the ball out for a corner. The visitors couldn`t muster up another attempt on goal as the ball was cleared to safety.

 

Ex-Queens midfielder Andy Murdoch was fed the ball but his low shot drifted wide of Robinson`s goal on 21 minutes.

 

It was end-to-end without any side making a clear cut chance, this time Dobbie made a good run of the left and after scouting his options he crossed the ball to Thomson but the midfielder could only blast wide.

 

Dobbie looks for a teamate to feed

 

Morton midfielder Jamie Lindsay thought he gave his side the lead on 31 minutes with a close range strike but Doyle was deemed to have fouled Thomas in the build-up. 

 

As the half wore on the hosts were beginning to dominate and should`ve been ahead in first half injury-time. The ball was pin-balled in the Queens box and fell to Aidan Nesbitt but the youngster ballooned his effort over the bar. After collecting the ball and just about to hit his goal-kick Robinson was cautioned for time wasting by the referee, before bringing the first period to a close.

 

HALF TIME MORTON 0-0 QOS

 

The first real action of the second period came to the visitors when Thomas outpaced substitute Ricki Lamie on the right, his cross found Thomson but he failed to add to his four Queens goal as he didn`t get enough on his effort to trouble Gaston.

 

The hosts pulled in front when Forbes got the majority of the 1451 at Cappielow off their feet. Ton`s top goalscorer curled a superb effort, helped by a touch off Jamie Hamill, into the back of the net.

 

The Doonhamers thought they pulled one back moments later but Thomson`s effort was ruled out for being in an offside position. Dobbie did well to get a shot away from outside the area, which was parried by Gaston, Thomson followed the ball and slammed it home but the assistant referee had his flag up.

 

Thomson finds the back of the net but is ruled offside

 

The hosts advanced forward and Lindsay hit a low effort which was saved by the legs of Robinson.

 

Naysmith made a triple substitution on 65 minutes- Daniel Carmichael, Derek Lyle and Dale Hilson replacing Dobbie, Jacobs and Dykes.

 

And the bold move was nearly rewarded but Thomson blasted an effort from the edge of the box over the bar.

 

The majority of the ball was played in the midfield area with little chances but the visitors should`ve made more from a Hilson breakaway, as he picked out Carmichael on the left but his ball was comfortably collected by Gaston.

 

Both sides created a couple of half chances but couldn`t find the second goal of the evening. Defeat leaves Queens nine points behind fourth placed Dundee United but having Queens played two more fixtures than the Terrors- it would be highly unlikely play-off football will be heading to Palmerston.

 

FULL TIME

 

Morton 1-0 QOS