Greenock Morton 2 Queen’s Park 1

Queen’s fell to a 2-1 defeat at Morton and stay in seventh position in the league table.

The interim coaching team of Steven Maclean and Sean Crighton made two changes to the starting line up as Queen’s headed to Greenock in search of championship points. Kyle Hurst and Ben Jackson had to be content with a seat on the bench with starting places for Louis Longridge and Ryan Duncan. Youngsters Timam Scott and Aiden McGinlay were also listed as substitutes.

Cal Ferrie was once again in goal for the Spiders and made his 150th appearance for the club in what has been another outstanding season for the Spiders Number One.

Queen’s made a bright start to the game with Adam Montgomery and Ryan Duncan linking well down the left side. Most of the play was in the Morton half as both sides tried to settle into the game.

The first real shot came after 11 minutes when a long ball forward went over the Queen’s defence, Owen Moffat gathered and fired towards goal, however Cal Ferrie saved comfortably.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes. Morton forced a couple of corners in quick succession, the first of which was hooked clear by Louis Longridge. The next delivery into the box was headed goalwards, struck a post before being knocked over the line from close range by Owen Moffat.

Queen’s looked to get back on level terms and Adam Montgomery had a fierce drive deflected for a corner following neat build up play from Zak Rudden and Ryan Duncan.

Shortly after, Adam Devine played a curling pass down the right wing which found Jack Turner whose first time cross evaded Zak Rudden who made a near post run.

As half time approached the hosts looked as if they might grab a second goal as Ali Crawford broke into the Queen’s penalty area, however a superb last-ditch tackle from Leon King saved the day for the Spiders.

Half Time: Morton 1 Queen’s Park 0

As was the case at the start of the game, Queen’s made a bright start to the second half with Roddy MacGregor and Ryan Duncan placing the Morton defence under pressure, however attempts on target were at a premium, typified by a shot over the bar by Louis Longridge.

Cal Ferrie made a sharp save low to his right as a long ball forward evaded the Queen’s defence and quickly followed that up with another save from a shot from the edge of the box as Morton pushed for a second goal.

Unfortunately for the Spiders, the hosts grabbed another goal after 64 minutes. Will Tizzard lost possession wide left to the on-rushing Morton sub Michael Garrity who strode forward and planted a shot into the far corner of the net.

Queen’s made a triple substitution a few minutes later in an effort to get back into the game. Ben Jackson came on for Will Tizzard, Kyle Hurst replaced Jack Turner and Timam Scott came on as Ryan Duncan made way.

The changes perked Queen’s up, with Kyle Hurst in particular looking more threatening as the Spiders fought to get back in the game.

Only 2 minutes after the substitutions, Queen’s scored. Kyle Hurst swung in a tantalising cross from wide on the left which was met by a deft headed flick from Zak Rudden and the ball nestled into the net.

Unfortunately for the travelling Queen’s fans, there were no further goals as Morton ran down the clock and gave the Queen’s forwards little opportunity to snatch an equaliser.

Attention now switches to the SPFL Trust Trophy Final next Sunday with Livingston at The Falkirk Stadium, kick off is 4.10pm.

Full time: Morton 2 Queen’s Park 1

Greenock Morton: Ryan Mullen, Cameron Ballantyne, Zak Delaney, Jack Baird, Morgan Boyes, Owen Moffat (Oluwatomisin Adeloye 62mins), Cameron Blues, Alister Crawford, Arron Lyall (Jordan Davies 75mins), Grant Gillespie (C) (Michael Garrity 62mins), Nathan Shaw (Lamar Reynolds 86mins).
Unused Substitutes: Gary Woods, Niall McGinn, Cameron Keay.

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie (C), Sean Welsh (Seb Drozd 86mins), Louis Longridge, Roddy MacGregor (Reece Evans 80mins), Will Tizzard (Ben Jackson 67mins), Zak Rudden, Jack Turner (Kyle Hurst 67mins), Ryan Duncan (Timam Scott 67mins), Adam Devine, Adam Montgomery, Leon King.
Unused Substitutes: Jack Wills, Jadan Raymond, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, Aiden McGinley.

Referee: Peter Stuart