QUEEN’S PARK 0 QOS 2

Pickard (26), Dowie (34)

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH were on song as they eased past Queen’s Park 2-0.

The Spiders’ new boy, Gregor Fotheringham, rescued his side twice in the space of 60 seconds in the first quarter of an hour.

He bravely blocked a Jake Pickard shot and then headed off the line with Grant Anderson lurking.

Midway through the opening half, the Doonhamers again came within inches of taking the lead when their new recruit, Steven Rigg, fired in a low drive that just flashed past the post.

The opening goal finally arrived on 26 minutes, and it came in fine style. Jamie Hamill sent Anderson free on the right and his first-time driven cross was turned home by Jake Pickard from four yards.

A second followed eight minutes later.

Hamill sent over a corner from the right and Andy Dowie bulleted a powerful header through a sea of bodies.

Rigg had a great opportunity to make it three on 53 minutes but he sliced wide after Anderson had left three home defenders trailing behind him.

As the Dumfries men continued to dominate, Lyndon Dykes cracked a shot into the side-netting. Referee Alan Newlands surprised everyone on the hour mark when he penalised Bryan Wharton for a crude challenge on the flying Anderson by awarding a free kick.

The offence appeared to have taken place inside the box, so a penalty should have been the outcome.

Queen’s Park substitute Anton Brady made a sliding block on Dale Hilson with nine minutes left to deny the visitors a third goal after a lightning break from a corner for the hosts.

The visitors had one last chance to make their margin of victory more emphatic. However Derek Lyle screwed his effort wide from eight yards.

The game took place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium as the Hampden pitch was damaged during American singer Beyonce’s recent gig.