Spiders keep on climbing in play-off

Former Dundee United striker Simon Murray’s extra-time winner earned Queen’s Park promotion to the Championship as they secured a 3-2 aggregate win over Airdrie yesterday.

The sides headed into the game level at 1-1 after the first leg, but it was Airdrie who drew first blood when Rhys McCabe curled in a superb free-kick from 25 yards.

Queen’s Park – bossed by Diamonds legend Owen Coyle – were not behind for long as Connor Smith capitalised on some loose possession before firing home the equaliser.

Both sides pushed for a winner in normal time but neither could find one and the game went into an extra 30 minutes.

The all-important winner came with eight minutes to go when Murray – who also had spells with Montrose, Arbroath and Dundee – was brought down in the penalty area.

He stepped up and smashed the ball past goalkeeper Max Currie to seal promotion and keep Airdrie in League One.

Diamonds boss Ian Murray said: “Obviously our boys are down. They are on their knees in the dressing room, and rightly so because they put a lot into that – and the whole season.

“There had to be a loser and, unfortunately, it was us. It’s very cruel circumstances.

“Losing the goal so quickly was huge.

“It was a terrible goal to lose, quite frankly. We’ve lost two poor goals over the two legs and you can’t do that in play-off games.”

The Spiders, who relinquished their amateur status two years ago to go fulltime, will be playing second-tier football for the first time since 1975.

Coach John Potter said: “We were the better team today and we’re delighted to be promoted.”