Flashback Queens were well beaten
Today’s Flashback looks back on a memorable Scottish Cup clash between St Mirren and Queen of the South in December 2013, ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup final between Hibs and St Johnstone.
Goals from Gary Harkins, Steven Thompson and Sean Kelly were enough to see off Queen of the South in their Scottish Cup 4th round replay.
Harkins marked his first start in almost three months with the opener after 19 minutes, before Thompson’s right boot netted the second goal.
And substitute Kelly clambered off the bench to smash home goal number three and put a real gloss on the victory.
The win earned the Buddies a crack at Dundee United at Tannadice in the 5th round.
After a slow start, the match burst into life in the 15th minute when midfielder Kenny McLean stung the fingers of goalkeeper Zander Clark with a powerful shot from 20 yards, the Queens goalkeeper parrying it wide for a corner.
But Saints were not to be denied and four minutes later they went 1-0 up when Harkins picked up Thompson’s cushioned pass in front of goal and the Saints number eight managed to get it under control before prodding it home from close range.
Saints threatened again soon after as John McGinn saw a header drift wide of the left-hand post, after the Buddies midfielder connected with a powerfully-driven cross from Harkins.
Marc McAusland headed a McLean free-kick into the box harmlessly wide, before McGinn’s header was brilliantly tipped away by Clark as he connected with Grainger’s cross.
After 63 minutes, Russell saw a rightfoot shot deflect off McAusland and on to the crossbar, then bounce behind as the visitors came alive.
But Saints made the game safe after 74 minutes, during a breakaway from the home side with defender McAusland in nosebleed territory in the final third.
His shot deflected off Holt and fell nicely into the path of Thompson, who swung out his leg to net into the bottom corner from the six-yard box.
Derek Lyle saw a goalbound effort deflect off Darren McGregor and fly agonisingly wide to seal the Dumfries side’s fate.
And Kelly soon wrapped up the victory for the Saints, lashing home his first senior goal with a left-foot rasper from 22 yards with three minutes remaining.