Naysmith’s in a rage after second half scare
minute to see off the Lowland League outfit.
McDonagh said: “It was a real gutsy performance to come back with six minutes to go.
“Not many people would have expected us to do that. East Kilbride were the better team, but the character we showed sums up the spirit we have here.” Queens boss Gary Naysmith was left seething at a second half slump which nearly cost his side a place in the last 16.
The Palmerston men were 4- 0 up at hal f- time and cruising but were left hanging on for dear life at the death.
Naysmith said: “It was a scintillating first half, but we didn’t show up for the second.
“It was a real kick up the bum and it is how we react to that. I had words with the team about the second half.
“We are in the quarter-finals and that’s all that matters in a cup game whether you win in extra time or on penalties.
“We lost the second half and if it wasn’t for Alan Martin pulling off saves it would’ve gone to penalties.”
Two goals in three minutes gave Queens some early breathing space.
Stephen Dobbie clipped home from a tight angle after keeper Harry Doherty needlessly charged out of his box on 22 minutes.
Lyndon Dykes beat him to the ball and found Dobbie for the opener.
On 25 minutes it was 2- 0 as Dykes unleashed a 25-yard screamer which took a wicked deflection to beat Doherty.
Dykes doubled his tally on the half hour with a tap in at the back post following a superb run down the right by Andy Stirling.
Queens were on easy street and Dobbie made it 4- 0 only a
Kenny MacDonald
minute later after taking a pass from Jordan Marshall and curling a shot across the keeper and into the net for his 20th strike of the campaign.
Any thought of Crusaders settling for damage limitation after the break didn’t last long.
Just two minutes into the second half Rory Patterson side footed home at the near post for their opener.
Within three minutes it was 4-2 as Patterson scored from the spot after Michael Doyle was ruled to have handled inside the area.
Queens keeper Martin did brilliantly to keep out Jamie Glackin’s shot four minutes later while at the other end Callum Semple missed a sitter.
He rose unchallenged to meet a Gary Harkins free-kick but from six yards he smashed his header down into the pitch and over the bar.
Paul Heatley set up a grandstand f inish by f iring past Martin from 10 yards with five minutes left.
Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter was sent to the stand by ref Damien McRaith after an ugly bust-up with a fan.
He said: “The fan abused me, said the ‘f’ word so I challenged him and he didn’t like it.
“I said to him ‘ If you have anything to say then come on the pitch and say it to me’ but the linesman said I cannot challenge fans.”