QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1 MURRAY (90) QUEEN’S PARK 2 KOUIDER-AISSA (15, 30)

Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston described the Championship side’s defeat by League 2 Queen’s Park as “a major blow”.

“The Scottish cup is really important to the club as far as finances are concerned and you want to get through as many rounds as possible. To go out so early is a sore one to take, especially in the manner we lost,” said the Palmerston boss.

“We missed great chances when we should be scoring goals and didn’t defend well either.”

Queens found themselves two goals down after half-an-hour.

The opener came in 15 minutes when the Hampden side won a free-kick on their left. Joffrey Lidouren sent over a high ball, which beat the defence, and saw Salim Kouider-Aissa on the spot to nod the ball home.

Queen’s Park added the second following a break upfield. The Dumfries defence was again caught short with Kouider-Aissa running on to a cross ball to slip home his second. The

Championship side passed up chances, Gary Oliver heading over from almost on the goal line.

The Dumfries men continued to try desperately to pull themselves back into the match after the break, but found it hard to make any headway against the confident-looking visitors who looked threatening on the break.

Only a fine save by Robby McCrorie prevented the Hampden side increasing their lead following a breakaway, as he rose to hold a ball just under the bar.

The game descended into a scrappy affair in the final stages with the home side struggling as they found themselves blocked out by the determined Queen’s Park defenders.

The hosts did pull one back when Connor Murray scored with a 25-yard drive two minutes into time added – but it was too late to make any difference.

Queen’s Park manager Mark Hunter said: “I’m so happy for the guys – they put in so much work.

“The first half was a wee bit more quality from us and we got quality goals, but the second half was all about keeping ahead and we’ll now go on and get as far as we possibly can.”