|
A 73rd-minute strike from Paul Burns gave Queen of the South victory over Albion Rovers in the first round of the ALBA Challenge Cup.
Ryan McGuffie headed the opener on his debut after 17 minutes to give Queens the lead, the only first-half goal.
Rovers pulled themselves level after the break when Ciaran Donnelly raced in to convert a Robert Love cross .
But Burns had the final say, smashing home Daniel Carmichael's clever pass to put Queens into Tuesday's Hampden draw.
Queens started brightly, with David Weatherston, McGuffie and Burns all having chances in the first four minutes.
Paul McLeod and Love both looked lively for Rovers but never really threatened Lee Robinson in the Queens goal.
The opener came from a classy move, with Willie McLaren breaking from his own half to set up Weatherston.
Albion Rovers woke up at the break and in the 48th minute were level.
Love broke down the right and made space to fire a cross for Donnelly, who had made a great run and who smashed a right-foot shot from just inside the box high into the net.
The tie was settled when a couple of chances by McLaren were blocked and the ball broke to Carmichael on the left-hand side of the box.
The Doonhamers youngster switched it to the other side for the unmarked Burns whose angled drive beat Gaston.
A comfortable victory for Quueens in the end against awkward opponents but there is room for improvement all round.
Queens MAD Man of the Match - Daniel Carmichael - He lit up Palmy when he came on and his superb pass set up Burns for the winner.
Queen of the South: Robinson, McGuffie, Reid, Harris, McKenna, Burns, Johnston, Quinn, McLaren, Holmes, Weatherston (Carmichael 60). Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Scally, Gavin Reilly, McShane.
Albion Rovers: Gaston, Reid, Benton, Lumsden, McGowan, Love, Stevie Canning, Donnelly, Chris Hamilton, McLeod (Watt 75), Dalrymple (Gilmartin 46), Gilmartin (Ferry 82). Subs Not Used: Smith. 
