Cooper to rescue as Queens make point
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ALEX COOPER hurtled in and produced a brilliant block to earn a precious point for basement boys Queen of the South.
The defender intervened to stop Thistle sub Ross MacIver from firing home what would have proved the late winner with just six minutes left.
Cooper said: “It’s one of those moments where it’s just instinct.
“I’m glad I could help keep a clean sheet. It’s a good point for us because they’re doing well – and it’s a valuable point for us too.
“We had some good chances and could have scored a few.”
Queens had the best chances in a frenetic first half with Lee Connelly twice forcing Jags keeper Jamie Sneddon into great saves within two minutes.
The shot-stopper pulled off a fingertip stop to divert an angled piledriver high against the right-hand post then just before the interval he somehow pushed
Connelly’s 10-yard rocket onto the face of the bar.
The Jags could have nicked it near the end with MacIver’s chance from 12 yards. But, as he prepared to pull the trigger on his shot, Cooper came lunging in and the ball was smuggled clear.
Queens have had a packed schedule and face a Scottish Cup replay against Cove tomorrow night at Palmerston.
Cooper added: “It’s an exciting time. There’s a lot of games and points to play for over December plus the cup tie.
“Two good results and you jump up so many places in this league.”
Jags racked up a new clean-sheet record of eight in a row. Assistant boss Neil Scally said: “We have a new club record but we’d prefer a 3-2 win.”