MacPherson is keen on Keena Loan star on target as Queen’s take three points
Queen’s Park boss Gus MacPherson hailed the impact of loan star Aidan Keena after the striker made it seven goals in eight games.
The Hearts youngster has made a real difference for the Spiders, who inflicted a sixth defeat in seven games for Stranraer.
The 18 -year-old broke clean through and beat Max Currie at his near post before doubling his tally after the hosts failed to clear their lines on 60 minutes.
He could even have had a hat-trick but saw his second half spot kick saved by Currie.
MacPherson said: “Aidan, on loan from Hearts, was outstanding.
“If he had scored the penalty, he would have been well worth his hattrick. He was a real handful today and has been a real handful since he came to the club.
“He is a real goal threat as well and has made a significant difference to us.”
After a 1-1 draw with Albion Rovers in midweek, Queen’s started brightly in yet another important clash for survival.
David Galt produced the first chance of the afternoon. He latched onto a quick throw-in and found Keena with the cutback whose shot lacked power. There was more encouragement after nine minutes when Scott Gibson delivered a great free kick into the Stranraer box and Keena wasn’t far away from converting. Queen’s took the lead after 16 minutes when Gregor Fotheringham played a gem of a ball through the inside right channel for Keena, who sprang the offside trap. He took the ball in his stride and buried it behind the helpless Currie. Things were heating up and almost boiled over after 25 minutes. A tussle at the edge of the Queen’s box produced heated claims for a home penalty. As Kyle Turner went to ground, he clearly grabbed the ball with one hand. The referee decided there was no penalty, but incredibly allowed play to go on. Players from both sides flew into challenges, and it took a few minutes before things calmed down again. When order was restored, the Spiders went back on the front foot. And on the half-hour, they doubled their advantage. Sean Burns looked to be decked on the edge of the Stranraer box, but the penalty claims again fell on deaf ears. Keena did what all good strikers do and played to the whistle, scrapping for the loose ball and then firing a shot low past Currie. Queen’s had been comfortable up until 66 minutes when they conceded a goal cheaply. Neill was given far too much space to side foot a cross past White to make it 2-1.
While things were edgy for a few minutes, Queen’s should have put the game to bed with just over a quarter of an hour to go.
Keena’s flick looked to have fallen kindly for Jamie Hammill, but Burns nipped in to mug the defender; gallop towards goal – and unleash an unstoppable shot beyond Currie.
With two minutes remaining, Keena earned the chance for his hat-trick as he won a penalty after beating Currie to a through ball and then being fouled.
He struck the spot kick well enough but Currie dived quickly to his right to make a good save. And it didn’t finish there as Queen’s conceded a penalty in injury time. Scott Agnew just beat White’s dive to reduce the deficit.