O'NEILL DOUBLE SINKS DEPLETED QUEENS

St Mirren bounced back from their mauling at Brechin to record an emphatic win against a depleted Queens who were without regular central defenders Reid and Thomson, the latter having gone down with Gastroenteritis earlier in the day. Aitken and Woood took over in defence and it was fairly evident early on that this combination looked very vulnerable indeed against the eager Saints side with former Queens man O'Neill to the fore. Queens also were struggling in midfield where Saints seemed more sharper and first to the ball. Saints forced a serious of corners and there were several near things around the Queens goal with O'Neill in the thick of it. It was no surprise when the same man nodded home from close in on 29 minutes to put St Mirren ahead. O'Neill's goal celebrations in front of the Queens fans were cut short when the referee stepped in and booked him. Even after his booking O'Neill continued to gesticulate with the furious Queens fans but in the end order was restored amid some rather unsavoury scenes. Queens were really up against it now and despite tremendous encouragement from the huge travelling support just could not get into the game. They were showing nothing up front with O'Connor being well shackled by the Paisley defence although it has to be said we were being overun in mid-field and the big man was suffering from lack of service. Queens somewhow survived until half-time and they trooped off with the knowledge that a huge effort would be needed to get back into the game.