Rutherglen Reformer

Gus gutted by defeat in cup

Now MacPherson focuses on race for play-offs

- Murray Spooner

Queen’s Park boss Gus MacPherson was gutted following his side’s thirdround Scottish Cup replay defeat to Forfar Athletic.

Danny Denholm inspired the Loons to their first win in ten games after setting up both their goals either side of half-time in a 2-1 win.

Forfar manager Dick Campbell believed his side “got a bit of luck to get through”and MacPherson was sure the opposition gaffer meant every word.

The Spiders missed out on a fourthroun­d game with either Wick Academy or Linlithgow Rose but the manager is confident his side can bounce back.

MacPherson said: “Ultimately it was a tough game and when you lose it’s obviously disappoint­ing.

“I thought we were the better team over the course of the two games but you need a wee rub of the green in the Scottish Cup and we didn’t get that.

“We just need to take it on the chin and move on.

“They gave a good account of themselves and the feeling from the players is a bit of frustratio­n.

“I was gutted and it was certainly frustratin­g for everyone. It was a quiet dressing room after the game but we said to the players that they had done well.

“We had two or three chances in the first half and Forfar scored right on the stroke of half-time. It didn’t change much because we were still needing a goal.

“There were positives that we could take into the league games.I didn’t see a great deal between the two teams but we didn’t take our chances.”

MacPherson said that one positive of going out of the cup is the chance to focus on Queen’s league form.

He added: “I hope we can start pushing for a play-off position, which has been our aim from day one. In the cups we always look to do our best.

“We’ll look to bounce back. We did that when we lost to Peterhead in the Petrofac semi-final and went on to win against Montrose and Stirling Albion.

“We’ve been delighted with the way we’ve played this season, with both games in the Scottish and getting to the semi-final of the Petrofac Cup. We’ve won seven or eight games in the league.

“If you speak to any manager at any level of football they’d say they wished they had more points on the table.”

The Spiders’ 22-year-old centre back Scott Gibson played his 50th game for Queen’s on Saturday.

His manager was more than pleased with his performanc­es this season.

“Scott has done extremely well. He’s worked hard and done well in the team,” he said. He is still developing but is a good example for the young players at Queen’s Park. He’s got a fantastic attitude and I’m delighted for him to reach that milestone. I’m sure there will be more to come.”

Queen’s were away to east Fife last night after the Reformer went to press and face Arbroath at home on Saturday.

 ??  ?? they seemed keen to set the record straight.
Five minutes into the second half the visitors were back on terms. McKernon burst forward from midfield and let fly from 20 yards. His low screamer looked certain to have found the net anyway but a small...
they seemed keen to set the record straight. Five minutes into the second half the visitors were back on terms. McKernon burst forward from midfield and let fly from 20 yards. His low screamer looked certain to have found the net anyway but a small...

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