Marvin Bartley took his place in the Queens dugout for the first time and made four changes to the side that started the Kelty Hearts cup tie in midweek. Goalkeeper, Kevin Dabrowski started in place of the now departed Max Currie, along with other new arrival, defender Jack Brydon. With Gavin Reilly and Ruari Paton also restored to the starting 11, Rico Quitongo and Michael Ruth dropped to the bench with Iain Wilson the other to miss out through injury.
In deceivingly sunny conditions, there was little goal-mouth action to warm up the fans in sub-zero temperatures as both sides cancelled each other out in an even first half. Neither keeper was tested in the opening quarter of the game, Sean Dillon hit a freekick off target but as it was hooked back into the box by Blair Lyons it never caused any concerns for the Queens defence. Dabrowskis first real save came after 19 minutes as he confidently collected a cross from the right.
As the game progressed, Kieran McKechnie fired his effort well over and Stephen Hendrie blocked well from Terry Masson. Paton then made a good run and played a decent ball out to Calvin McGrory, but his final ball was poor, and he couldnt make the cross. With half an hour on the clock, Paton slipped the ball in for Reilly, but Matty Allan blocked for a corner. As McGrory floated the ball into the box Ciaran McKennas header was saved.
Chances were still limited but Dabrowski dived at the feet of Rory McAllister as he tried to get on the end of a freekick and as Queens blocked Lewis Milnes shot, they broke up field through McKechnie, but the break fizzled out at the key moment and ended up going out for a goal kick. Queens again made a good break with two minutes of the first half remaining, Paton and Lewis Gibson linking up well for Hendrie to deliver into the box, but Dillon managed to clear. As the ball came back over the top, Ross Sinclair got there ahead of Josh Todd to keep it goalless at the interval.
HALF TIME: Montrose 0 Queens 0
After the break the first chance fell to the home side with McAllister and Lyons causing a problem, but Brydon made a good challenge to clear. Within a minute Queens had a decent chance to open the scoring with a great delivery into the box but Reilly at the front post just couldnt connect. Queens were creating chances and as McGrory played in a corner, he kept it low and outside the box for McKechnie but the little winger despite having time and space blasted the ball high and wide.
Michael Gardynes cross for substitute Craig Brown created a half chance for Stewart Petries side before they did score. With just over an hour gone, Dillon played the ball over for Lyons who got in behind McKenna, as the winger twisted and turned, he slotted the ball low into the bottom corner. Dabrowski did dive but was unsighted and couldnt get enough on it to stop it finding the net.
Queens looked to get back level and midway through the half, Gibson won a free kick as he was tripped by Brown, McGrory hit a well struck right foot shot but Sinclair made a great save to keep it out. From the resulting corner, Patons shot was blocked on the line before Gibson missed the rebound from close range. In an attempt to get something from the game, the manager brought on Ruth and Harry Cochrane, but it was Paton who turned at the edge of the box but dragged a left foot shot wide of the upright. Cochrane did have a chance a minute later, but his effort was way too high.
Queens had Montrose pinned back but couldnt find a way through, Hendrie cut inside but the keeper saved his low effort. They were handed a lifeline six minutes from time as Ruth was bundled over inside the box by Dillon and referee Steve Kirkland awarded the penalty. Josh Todd took responsibility but was left with his head in his hands as he fired the spot kick well over the bar. It was a missed opportunity for Queens, but they kept going and in added on time, as McGrorys shot was cleared by Dillon for a corner, the whole Queens team were in the box, including keeper Dabrowski, it was Paton who got on the end of it, but his header was over the bar.
FULL TIME: Montrose 1 Queens 0