It was another disappointing away defeat for the Doonhamers as a brace from Kalvin Orsi was enough to see off Queens 2-0. Despite the scoreline the visitors had chances, striking the woodwork twice, forcing Morton?s goalkeeper into a couple brilliant saves and even having a goal rules out for offside.
The big team news from the Queens dressing room was that Tommy Goss made his full debut for the Doonhamers after signing from South of Scotland side Abbey Vale in the summer. Euan East also returned to the starting XI, while Rohan Ferguson regained the goalkeeping berth from Jack Leighfield. Aidan Fitzpatrick and Dan Pybus dropped to the bench from last weeks side, while Joe McKee and Harry Robinson returned to the squad. It was Robinson?s first appearance in a matchday squad since Halloween following a spell on the sidelines. It was a 4-2-3-1 shape for the away side, with East and Connor Shields playing either side of Stephen Dobbie, while Goss led the line.
The visitors, who were without Kyle Jacobs, started with ex-Doonhamer Michael Ledger, while Sean McGinty, who scored against Queens in October, started at centre-half.
It was a poor start to the game from both sides, with the opening 15 minutes void of any quality. Disaster struck for Queens a minute later though, with Dobbie pulling up with what seemed like a hamstring issue off the ball. The captain was unable to carry on and was replaced by Fitzpatrick after 16 minutes. Queens remained in their 4-2-3-1 formation with Fitzpatrick slotting in behind Goss.
Johnston and Clark show concern as Dobbie leaves the game
James Maxwell had the games first half-chance, forcing Aidan McAdams into a save from the edge of the area.
The visitors were perhaps unlucky not to take the lead after 33 minutes courtesy of the offside flag. A powerful run from Fitzpatrick allowed him to have a shot from just outside the box. McAdams spilled the effort, before Goss placed the rebound neatly in the bottom corner, although the flag was immediately raised.
Rhys McCabe was the first man in referee Colin Steven?s book for a high foul on the edge of Queens? box. Robbie Muirhead hit the resulting free-kick but Rohan Ferguson made good ground across his goal and caught the effort.
Neither side was looking like breaking the deadlock in the opening period, although the home side took the lead despite Maxwell seemingly being fouled in the build-up after 41 minutes. Cammy Salkeld pushed the left-back off the ball, before laying-off to James McPake to fire a shot at Ferguson. An impressive save from the returning ?keeper, followed by an even better stop on the rebound from Salkeld wasn?t enough though as Kalvin Orsi put the ball in the net at the third attempt. Despite loud protests from various players and staff for the foul, the goal stood.
Orsie nets despite a double save by Ferguson and a claim for a foul earlier in the move
HT: Morton 1-0 Queens
The Doonhamers could count themselves unlucky to go in the break a goal down, albeit there was still 45 minutes to rectify the opening period.
Queens began the second-half with a higher intensity than the first, taking a more direct route once Goss was replaced by Dan Pybus, switching to a 4-4-2.
The visitors were unlucky not to draw level after 73 minutes when McCabe struck a venomous free-kick off the underside of the bar.
McCabe smashes a free kick off the underside of the bar
Just a few moments later Queens missed another golden opportunity to draw level as Fitzpatrick forced McAdams into a magnificent save low to his left from a header in the area.
McAdams makes a great save from Fitzpatrick`s header
Queens were made to pay for their missed chances just a minute later though as Morton doubled their lead. A set-piece wasn?t fully cleared by the Queens back-line, allowing another cross into the area for Kalvin Orsi to get on the end of to double the Ton?s lead.
Orsi heads the second
It was a tough one to take for the Doonhamers, who created more chances than the hosts in the second period. The visitors kept pushing though and were denied yet again by the woodwork. A McCabe corner was nodded clear only as far as East 12-yards from goal, his first-time volley clipping the outside of the post on its way wide.
Fitzpatrick saw his volley from the penalty spot fly over the bar, before the referee blew for full-time.
FT: Morton 2-0 Queens
Another difficult result to take for Queens, who were unlucky to hit the woodwork twice at Cappielow. The result means Queens move to the foot of the table following Arbroath?s win against Ayr.