Queen of the South looked to get their first win of the season in the Betfred Cup, and that they did?just, defeating Annan Athletic on penalties following a ?goalfest? at Palmerston on a beauty of a night.

There was two changes from Saturday?s side, the ?second-debuts? of Michael Paton and Gary Oliver, at the expense of Jack Hamilton and Dan Pybus. The South lined-up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Kidd and McCarthy in the centre of midfield, while Oliver partnered Stephen Dobbie upfront.

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The first-half was a bit of slow burner, with nothing of note happening in the opening minutes of the game. The visitors started brightly, and were pressing Queens heavily through Tommy Muir and Lewis Mclear, although it didn?t take long for Queens? quality to shine through.

After 17 minutes, Stephen Dobbie was released in the box, however a good challenge from ex-Queens youth player Ayrton Sonkur prevented Dobbie from firing at goal.

A matter of moments later Queens did indeed take the lead, with Dobbie central to the goal.  Some good work down the right-hand side of the pitch afforded Dobbie time on the ball to square to Connor Murray, who tapped home from close range.

The goal came from out of the blue, neither team had challenged either ?keeper by this point. Nonetheless, Queens were in the lead, and it took just three minutes for them to double it.

With the ball on the edge of the area, Queens were teasing the opposition with fake shots and fast passing. The ball fell to Dobbie to strike from range, however his shot was saved by Aaron Taylor in the Annan goal. Andy McCarthy?s rebound was also parried away, before Scott Mercer tapped into the empty net.

The hosts two-goal lead didn?t last too long though, as just eight minutes later, Annan pulled one back. A floated corner in was met by Matty Douglas? head, and after a goalmouth scramble, Andy McCarthy looked to have got the last touch on the ball as it went past the helpless McCrorie.

Another eight minutes past before Queens could revive their two-goal cushion, this time it was Stephen Dobbie getting himself in on the action.

A Michael Paton cross was met by Gary Oliver, who squared to Stephen Dobbie to finish under Taylor.

Half-Time: QoS 3-1 Annan

The second-half started like the first-half ended, with a goal. And unfortunately for the Queens support, it was one back for Annan.

After being the better side in the opening stages of the second period, Queens were the masters of their own downfall. An under-hit pass on the edge of the Queens area allowed Annan to regain possession, before slotting the ball into the path of Lewis Mclear who finished comfortably in the corner, past the rushing Robby McCrorie.

After 60 minutes, some good play by Stephen Dobbie down the right-hand side allowed him to switch the ball to Paton, however the winger wasn?t able to direct his first-time volley on target.

A flurry of substitutions came next, with Jack Hamilton and Dan Pybus replacing Michael Paton and Scott Mercer respectively. While Christian Nade came on for the visitors.

With 15 minutes left in the game, Annan were really beginning to push on searching for an equaliser. The impressive Muir had an effort from the edge of the area that was well tipped over by Robby McCrorie, before Queens had the ball in the net.

A long free-kick was headed by Holt, to Brownlie, before Lee Kilday put the ball into the net, however the linesman already had his flag up for offside.

Just a matter of minutes later, Annan were back on level terms. A long ball forward was chased down by Nade, who outmuscled Kilday, before squaring to Holt in to tap in from inches out.

It was Queens? turn to attack now, and go chasing a winner. Unfortunately, despite efforts from Darren Brownlie and Connor Murray, the goal never came. The teams went onto contest a penalty shoot-out for a bonus-point.

Queens were up first in the penalty shoot-out, shooting towards the home terracing.

Stephen Dobbie done what Stephen Dobbie does, and coolly placed his penalty beyond Taylor.

Indeed, each of the first nine penalties were scored, with Dobbie, Oliver, Murray, Holt and Kidd netting for Queens.

However, Robby McCrorie was the hero, saving Annan?s fifth penalty, low to his left from Ayrton Sonkur, to give Queens the bonus point. 

Full Time: QoS 3-3 Annan (QoS win 5-4 on penalties)

The games continue to come thick and fast, as Queens travel to ?The Rock? to take on Dumbarton in game-week three of the Betfred Cup.