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THISTLE FEEL THE PAYNE AS QUEENS TRIUMPH

Last updated : 19 September 2004 By Duke Of Galloway

BURNS - IN GREAT FORM
Queens amazing away form continues with a thrilling win over Partick Thistle at Firhill thanks to a last minute strike by substitute Payne. There was a party atmosphere before the start as the large Queens following gave tremendous vocal support to their team. Judging by the noise levels the various hostilries in Maryhill Road had been doing a roaring trade prior to the match. Thistle started immediately to put the part-time Queens firmly in their place and bombarded the away goal. Queens were really struggling and it was no surprise when Thistle took the lead on 8 minutes when Escalas cracked in a beautiful goal after some dithering in the Queens defence in which Reid had made a surprising return. Queens were shell-shocked but gradually weathered the storm and fought back into the game with Burns and McLaughlan driving them on. McNiven was also causing havoc against a less than solid home defence. McColligan had bad luck when his shot hit the bar and the dangerous Burns had a shot bundled round the post by Arthur. As half-time approached Queens were the team in control but somehow the elusive equaliser did not come.

Half-Time 1-0

Queens came out with all guns blazing and took a firm control of the game although the dangerous Escalas was causing problems to the Queens defence. Thomson and Reid however were in command and held firm as Thistle tried to put the game out of reach. Queens were fighting hard and putting the Thistle defence under severe pressure with McNiven proving a hot handfull. Despite many near things the goal just would not come until the 64th minute when McNiven took a pass on the right and stroked the ball into the far corner past a bemused Arthur. The Queens fans greeted the goal with rapturious applause whereas the Thistle fans feared the worst. It was now game on as Queens went for the jugular. McNiven amost scored again from a similar position and McLaughlan shot over with the Partick defence all at sea. Thistle looked as if they would hold out for a draw when in the final minute Queen's Payne ran through and cracked the ball home from about 25 yards as sheer bedlam reigned in the visitor's stand. The referee blew for full time amid amazing scenes as the jubilant Queens fans celebrated a memorable victory. This was a remarkable performance from a seemingly injury ravaged side. We did not have a failure with Burns having a magnificent match but several others were not far behind. McLaughlan and McNiven ran their socks off with Wood,Thomson and Reid taking everything Thistle could throw at them. Once again our fans were absolutely magnificent and the banter with the Thistle fans was something else. That's us up into fourth place and we can now relish our visit to Kirkcaldy next week.

THISTLE'S ARTHUR GATHERS FROM McNIVEN