Queen of the South were back in action for the first time in 210 days, taking on Morton at Cappielow. Queens fought back from a goal down twice courtesy of goals from skipper Stephen Dobbie and Connor Shields, ensuring the game went to penalties. The resulting shoot-out was won by the visitors, meaning Queens pick up an extra point in what is widely regarded as the ?group of death?.

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There was no shortage of new faces in the starting XI with Rohan Ferguson, James Maxwell, Gregor Buchanan, Ayo Obileye, Joe McKee, Connor Shields, Rhys McCabe and Euan East all making their debuts for the Doonhamers. Wullie Gibson made his first appearance in over seven years for Queens at right-back, while Stephen Dobbie and Dan Pybus, along with Jack Leighfield on the bench, were the only survivors from last season.

Queens lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Dobbie and Shields playing either side of East, who led the line.

After the players took the knee prior to kick-off, it was Joe McKee who got the game underway after 7 months of no competitive action. The hosts started the game the better of the two teams, applying constant pressure to the Queens backline, preventing Queens from passing it out from the back.

The players take a knee before kick off.

The first noteworthy incident of the game came after eight minutes when Ross Maciver collided with McCabe in the Queens penalty area and despite various calls for a penalty, referee Don Robertson waved play on. There was undoubtedly contact, although the linesman explained that it was a collision rather than a foul.

Ex-Morton man Gregor Buchanan was the first player in the book this season after pulling down the impressive Josh McPake on the break.

After 18 minutes Morton?s pressure told. A cross into the box from Rabin Omar was deflected by Gibson, putting the ball out of reach from Obileye, and Sean McGinty was there to head past Ferguson from close range.

McGinty heads home

Queens began offering much more of a threat going forward after the goal with McKee and McCabe creating from deep.

After 32 minutes there was a ninth debut of the day for the Doonhamers with Aiden Fitzpatrick coming on to replace Dan Pybus with Queens looking to get a foothold in the game. The South then switched to a 4-4-1-1 formation with Dobbie playing as a ?number 10? just off of East.

Rangers-loanee, McPake, was causing Queens plenty of problems all game and almost doubled the Ton?s lead on 36 minutes. A powerful run through the heart of the Queens midfield allowed him to cut onto his preferred right-foot in the penalty area, before firing narrowly over the bar.

Fitzpatrick was beginning to get involved in the game five minutes from half-time, combining with Dobbie and East to good affect without being able to trouble McAdams in the Morton goal.

McPake was able to cause Queens one more problem just before the break, latching onto a loose midfield header and beating Obileye for pace, only for the frontman to slip as he was about to pull the trigger.

HT ? Morton 1-0 QoS

A half of football to forget for Queens. They weren?t able to trouble Morton?s backline too much, however, the half-time oranges must?ve been good as Queens looked a different team in the second-half.

Maxwell was able to get onto the ball going forward, very much impressing in doing so too, taking on the Morton wingers with ease.

Despite there being plenty of impressive performances from various youngsters in the team, Stephen Dobbie proved that you can?t buy experience, netting a deserved equaliser for Queens after 53 minutes. A corner in the box was met by Obileye ? who won virtually everything in the air all game ? before Dobbie was on hand a few-yards out to ensure the ball went in. Not his prettiest of goals, but they all count the same.

Dobbie flicks Obileyes header into the net

Dobbie celebrates his strike

Queens were really playing attractive football, constantly searching for another goal. Shields, who was fairly quiet up until this point, was becoming a nuisance for the Morton defenders to deal with, linking well with Gibson down the right. A powerful run from Shields on 64 minutes allowed him to square to Fitzpatrick, who set up East, but the strikers shot was well blocked by McGinty.

However, just four minutes later, against the run of play, Morton went back in-front. McPake created space down the left, before firing what looked like a shot at Ferguson?s goal. Although it was going wide, Aiden Nesbitt was on hand to tap in at the back post.

This was to be a test of character for a young Queens side, who then sacrificed goal-scorer Dobbie for the energetic Harry Robinson. And after probing away for 15 minutes the pressure eventually told.

Another terrific run from Maxwell down the left allowed him to set-up Connor Shields who struck a venomous shot into McAdams? far corner from a tight angle. It was no less than Queens deserved, although despite the introduction of Niyah Joseph (on for East), neither ?keeper was troubled in the last 10 minutes.

Shields fires home the second equaliser

For the second-year running at Cappielow, we were heading to penalties.

Thankfully, there was to be no déjà vu in the result, as finely struck penalties from McKee, McCabe, Gibson and Buchanan, along with two brilliant saves from Ferguson, handed Queens the bonus point.

Ferguson makes the crucial save as he pushes the ball onto the bar

FT ? Morton 2-2 QoS (2-4 on penalties)

Considering there were a total of 11 debuts, it was a fine performance from the Doonhamers. Two-each was probably a fair result against fellow Championship opposition and sets us up nicely for a tough clash with St. Mirren on Saturday.

The St. Mirren game is available to stream for just £10 on Saturday.

Finlay Jack