|
For Brechin, it was their first trip to Dumfries in any competition for five years, and even right up to kick off last night the match was in doubt when a dramatic slump in temperatures saw referee Steven Nicholls carry out a late inspection before giving the go ahead to what was Queens' first home game of any kind since 13 November last year.
Queens' defence was torn apart twice in the opening four minutes. After three minutes Craig Malloy put Rory McAllister through, but after rounding goalkeeper Lee Robinson he shot into the side-netting.
Sixty seconds later a horrific blunder by Craig Reid, woefully short with a back pass, let McAllister in again.
The striker squared the ball to Mark Docherty, but he slipped at the vital moment and scooped the ball over from ten yards with the goal at his mercy. It was two glorious opportunities for the Second Division outfit. Queens had to wait 14 minutes for their first chance, but when the ball dropped kindly for Paul Burns, 15 yards out on the right, he shot weakly at veteran goalkeeper Craig Nelson.
It proved a false dawn as Brechin quickly regained their composure and took the lead in 17 minutes when Kevin Byers was given far too much time and space to let fly from 25 yards, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Reid and leaving Robinson hopelessly stranded.
The part-timers netted a second in 35 minutes when Docherty whipped the ball in from the left for McAllister to nip in front of Stephen McKenna and side foot an eight yard volley high into the net.
The Angus men had to endure a late onslaught after Queens threw themselves a lifeline when Colin McMenamin cracked the ball home from 20 yards in 66 minutes. The same player scorned a chance to equalise shortly afterwards but his header was saved at point blank range by Nelson.
This performance by Queens was a huge disappointmemnt for the Palmy faithful and the enforced fixture layoff obviously was a factor.
However credit must go to Brechin and Weir's side can now deservedly look forward to a trip in the next round to either East Stirlingshire or the Highland League champions Buckie Thistle.
Queen of the South: Robinson, Reid, Harris, McKenna, Lilley (Johnston 46), McGuffie, Burns, Quinn (Carmichael 69), Holmes, McMenamin, McLaren (Weatherston 85). Subs not used: Hutton, Holt.
Brechin City: Nelson, McLean, Cook, White, Moyes, Janczyk, Byers (Fusco 82), Malloy, McAllister, McKenna (Redman 88), Docherty (Scott 63). Subs not used: Archdeacon, Hill
Queen's Man of the Match - Paul Burns - The Cumnock man posed our lone threat to the Angus men.
Queens' defence was torn apart twice in the opening four minutes. After three minutes Craig Malloy put Rory McAllister through, but after rounding goalkeeper Lee Robinson he shot into the side-netting.
Sixty seconds later a horrific blunder by Craig Reid, woefully short with a back pass, let McAllister in again.
The striker squared the ball to Mark Docherty, but he slipped at the vital moment and scooped the ball over from ten yards with the goal at his mercy. It was two glorious opportunities for the Second Division outfit. Queens had to wait 14 minutes for their first chance, but when the ball dropped kindly for Paul Burns, 15 yards out on the right, he shot weakly at veteran goalkeeper Craig Nelson.
It proved a false dawn as Brechin quickly regained their composure and took the lead in 17 minutes when Kevin Byers was given far too much time and space to let fly from 25 yards, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Reid and leaving Robinson hopelessly stranded.
The part-timers netted a second in 35 minutes when Docherty whipped the ball in from the left for McAllister to nip in front of Stephen McKenna and side foot an eight yard volley high into the net.
The Angus men had to endure a late onslaught after Queens threw themselves a lifeline when Colin McMenamin cracked the ball home from 20 yards in 66 minutes. The same player scorned a chance to equalise shortly afterwards but his header was saved at point blank range by Nelson.
This performance by Queens was a huge disappointmemnt for the Palmy faithful and the enforced fixture layoff obviously was a factor.
However credit must go to Brechin and Weir's side can now deservedly look forward to a trip in the next round to either East Stirlingshire or the Highland League champions Buckie Thistle.
Queen of the South: Robinson, Reid, Harris, McKenna, Lilley (Johnston 46), McGuffie, Burns, Quinn (Carmichael 69), Holmes, McMenamin, McLaren (Weatherston 85). Subs not used: Hutton, Holt.
Brechin City: Nelson, McLean, Cook, White, Moyes, Janczyk, Byers (Fusco 82), Malloy, McAllister, McKenna (Redman 88), Docherty (Scott 63). Subs not used: Archdeacon, Hill
Queen's Man of the Match - Paul Burns - The Cumnock man posed our lone threat to the Angus men.