HEAD BOY OBIKA IS A KNOCKOUT
A LATE header from Jon Obika enabled St Mirren to scrape by League Two Queen’s Park and into the Betfred Cup knock-out phase.
Jim Goodwin’s men looked set to be taken to penalties for a third group game in a row, only for Obika to spare their blushes nine minutes from time when he bulleted in Kyle McAllister’s corner.
The result, however, shouldn’t paper over the cracks of another poor display from the Premiership side. They struggled to create much throughout, although their chances weren’t helped by the red card shown to Joe Shaughnessy early in the second half.
Goodwin revealed he plans to appeal that decision after watching it back and praised his players for getting through their group.
‘From our point of view, it was about coming here, winning the game and topping the group, which we’ve done,’ he said. ‘Overall, I’m really pleased with how this week has gone for us.’
Hampden was again empty for this one, the shouts of the players and both managers echoing around the stands. The hope remains that it will be a different story by the time the European Championships roll around next summer, bringing the much-anticipated home games against Czech Republic and Croatia to the national stadium.
On this occasion, there wasn’t much to cheer about in any case as both teams struggled.
Striker Bob McHugh had two decent efforts from distance for Queen’s Park in the first half before Peter Grant headed just wide.
St Mirren couldn’t find any kind of rhythm. Kristian Dennis had a rare chance with a header but directed it wide of goal before Cammy MacPherson saw his long-range free kick saved.
The visitors needed to fly out the traps in the second half but instead found themselves down to 10 men just four minutes into it.
It was madness from Shaughnessy, who swung an elbow in the face of Mikey Doyle and could have no complaints about the red card quickly shown to him by referee Greg Aitken.
Obika’s late goal was harsh on a Queen’s Park side who deserved more than a fourth successive Betfred Cup defeat.
‘When you consider the division we’re in, it’s a good thing that the boys are disappointed they haven’t taken something from the game,’ said manager Ray McKinnon.