This seasons cup run ended in dramatic fashion as substitute Calum Ferguson scored with the last kick of the game to secure Rovers place in the 4th round and a money spinning home tie against Celtic.

Caretaker manager, Jim Thomson, made one change to the side that lost at Easter Road. An injury to Kyle Jacobs and the return to fitness of Stephen Dobbie saw the two swap. With the injuries mounting, we were only able to name 6 substitutes but one of those was Danny Carmichael - his return perhaps the only positive on a bad night at the office.

The score could have been very different if not for Ross Stewart in the Rovers goal, who made two amazing stops in the first 15 minutes to deny Queens an opening goal. Dobbie also had a header cleared off the line and any travelling fans thinking it maybe wasnt going to be their night wouldnt have been wrong

Despite Queens enjoying most of the possession in this opening period, Albion looked dangerous on the attack, Boyd and Wallace, in particular linking up well and causing the Queens defence problems. Their efforts were rewarded on 16 minutes when Robinson could only get the faintest of touches on a Boyd lob that was heading goalward to divert it just past the post. The resulting corner, though, was headed home by, Rovers captain, Michael Dunlop. Another goal conceeded from a set piece must be a concern at Palmerston.

No one on the near post so an easy opener for Rovers

The rest of the first half was fairly uneventful and the home side went in ahead 1-0.

The second half was all Queens, in terms of possession, as Albion sat deep, content to defend their lead and hit on the break.

On 60 minutes, Hamill replaced Dowie, who had picked up an earlier booking. With a more natural full back on Queens began to up the pressure a little and on 76 minutes forced a corner. Dobbie whipped in another good deliver but this time Hamill was there to rise highest and head the ball into the net.

Jamie Hamill climbs high to show the strikers where the goal is

Hamill celebrates his strike with a bit of passion

Queens continued to press looking for a winner but the possession was too often in front of the Rovers defence or lacking in quality in the final third and the away side struggled to create enough clear cut chances.

With 3 minutes to go, Ryan Wallace was shown his second yellow for high challenge on Marshall. With the home side down to 10 men, Queens went for a winning goal but still couldnt break down the Rovers defence.

Guess whats coming next for Wallace

With the game drifting towards a replay at Palmerston, Rovers found themselves breaking forward into the Queens half. The defence never looked set to defend the break properly and when Ross Gilmour got the break of the ball on the edge of the box he played it wide. Robinson could only parry the resulting cross straight to the feet of Calum Ferguson who tapped in from 2 yards unchallenged to send the players, fans and staff of Rovers wild with celebration. It was to be the last kick of the game, as the referee blew for full time immediately after the restart.

Last kick, last minute winner for Rovers

Worthy winners celebrate in style

 

All in all a disappointing result in a game that could easily have gone the other way. Albion Rovers are due a lot of credit, though, they defended well and were more clinical in front of goal - they might, though, have expected a more difficult night.

Good luck to them in the next round against Celtic