On the back of a heavy defeat away at Alloa last weekend boss Wullie Gibson was looking for a reaction from his side and urged them to show character as we welcomed Montrose to Palmerston this afternoon.  The Gaffer made three changes to the starting eleven with Euan East, Josh Todd and Calvin McGrory coming back into the side for the suspended Stephen Hendrie, Connor Murray who dropped to the bench and Harry Cochrane who was unavailable.   

Queens made a similar start to the game seven days ago with young Lewis Gibson creating the first chance in just two minutes.  His low ball across the box was cleared by Aidan Quinn before Iain Wilson fired over.  It was positive from the home side and two minutes later they opened the scoring.  McGrory skipped a challenge to get into the box only for Ross Sinclair to block with his legs to put the ball out for a corner.  It was McGrory who played in the set-piece, but it was Ruari Paton who headed the ball into the net to give Queens the lead. 

Montrose were up against it but with quarter of an hour gone Matty Allan headed the ball towards goal from close range, but Max Currie saved on the line.  And East blocked from Graham Webster before Queens attacked again and as they continued to push forward; Todd fired over. 

The hosts were on top, and their play was reward after half an hour when Gibson played the ball in from the left and although he was being pulled back Paton shrugged off his defender to slot a right footed shot low into the net for his and Queens second of the afternoon. Eight minutes from the break, Rico Quitongo did well on the wing but as the ball played into the six-yard box with Gavin Reilly waiting, the ball was cleared.  

HALF TIME:  Queens 2 Montrose 0 

Five minutes into the second half Todd fired the ball across goal from a tight angle and with Reilly and Dave McKay closing in the visitors cleared. However, they did make it three, three minutes later when Gibson did well to win the ball before he showed the quality of his delivery with a perfect cross for Paton at the back post and although he was on a hat-trick he didn?t go for glory, he saw his strike partner in a better position and headed the ball back across for Reilly who stooped to head the ball past Sinclair.   

Chances were limited for the guests, but Currie did have to come out to clear from Allan.  But they fell further behind on the hour mark as another great ball in from the wing from Gibson was headed into the net by captain Todd to make it four. 

Midway through the second half Queens were reduced to ten men as Quitongo was shown a second yellow and the subsequent red card for retaliation after he took a knock to the face.  It sparked a scuffle and as things boiled over Paton and Terry Masson also picked up bookings for their part. Three minutes after Queens were denied what looked like a penalty as East went down in the box.  The defender showed great footwork to open up space and get himself into the area but as he went to take the shot, he was pushed but Ross Hardie waved play on. 

Down to ten men it was more about managing the game for Queens as Montrose tried to take advantage.  They couldn?t find a way through and four goals without reply was the perfect response to last week?s disappointment.  

FULL TIME:  Queens 4 Montrose 0