Queen’s safely through

Stirling Albion ...... 1 Queen’s Park ........ 2

Queen’s made amends for the defeat on their visit to Forthbank last month by dumping Stirling out of the Scottish Cup.

Gaffer Mark Roberts made just one change to the line-up from Paisley last week, giving Euan East his first start at the expense of Billy Mortimer.

The home side could have taken the lead after 11 minutes when former Spider Dom Docherty set up Stewart, but Gerry McLauchlan and Jordan Hart both blocked the striker.

Queen’s began pressing forward and the breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when a Jamie McKernon corner was headed home at the far post by Lewis Hawke.

The visitors doubled their lead just before half-time with a scrappy goal when McLauchlan slid in to force the ball over the line from close range. It was unclear whether he or Marr got the final touch, but the big centre half was certainly claiming it.

Stirling were given hope on the hour mark when McLaughlin floated a lovely ball to the back post where Docherty was waiting to nod the ball home.

In the last quarter of the game, the Spiders produced a flurry of attacks.

Scott McLean forced Binnie into a good save low down, before McKernon fired wide.

Ten minutes from the end, Billy Mortimer came on for star man Euan East, who deserved the rousing ovation he got leaving the field.

Albion adopted a more direct approach as they hunted the equaliser, but the Queen’s defence was up to the challenge, with Hart coming to claim any crosses that got past the McLarenMcLauchlan double act.

Three minutes into added time, Stirling were awarded a penalty.

Jordan Hart produced another heroic spot kick save to book his side’s place in the next round.