Airdrieonians 0 Queen’s Park 2

New loan recruit Ryan Duncan was handed a starting debut however Cammy Kerr missed out after becoming the latest defender to pick up a knock with Jack Thomson also missing out.

Louis Longridge moved to the bench where he was joined by youngster Timam Scott and Henry Fieldson was given his first start with Roddy MacGregor returning to the starting line-up after commencing last weekend’s match at Aberdeen as a substitute.

Dom Thomas kicked off for the Blue and White shirted Spiders with referee Napier getting in the way of an early attacking move and restarting the game with a dropped ball.

With just 90 seconds gone Queen’s took the lead when Nikola Ujdur won the ball 30 yards from the home goal on the right and slipped a pass to Thomas who fed JACK TURNER who darted through the home defence.

Sam Graham looked to close Turner down however he slipped, and the midfielder slotted the ball past Murray Johnston and into the far corner.

The hosts looked to hit back quickly, and Duncan was under pressure to clear as Airdrie looked for a corner with Ferrie clutching a cross when the ball was recycled.

On 10 minutes Fieldson hoovered up another threat from the home side when he was perfectly placed to deal with a cut-back from Ben Wilson.

Wilson had a pop at goal directly from a free-kick on 12 minutes however the tall frame of Dane Murray stood strong in the defensive wall and headed away the danger.

Turner was tripped on 15 minutes and when Thomas swung over the resultant free-kick Zak Rudden stuck out a boot however he failed to make a connection.

Airdrie thought they had equalised when Wilson fired home after a sweeping move and cross from the left with an assistant’s flag bringing relief to the visitors and an end to home celebrations.

On 24 minutes a goal came at the other end as Queen’s moved two goals ahead when RUDDEN forced the ball over the line from close range after Ujdur had picked an Airdrie pocket in the box and Turner’s cross from the touchline slipped through Johnson.

Three minutes later it looked like Turner had scored again as a long throw landed in his path and he struck a low 20 yarder fiercely at Johnson’s goal however the shot-stopper made a fine one-handed save.

A fine move from the visitors allowed Thomas to send Josh Scott scampering down the left and his chip to the back post looked set to drop on Duncan’s head until Luke Bradley-Morgan nodded away.

As QP kept on attacking Ujdur sent a diving header from a Turner cross just wide with Thomas slashing a 25 yarder over shortly afterwards.

The dancing feet of Thomas created space for a shot three minutes from half-time with Johnson reaching high to grab the skipper’s drive.

As half-time arrived Turner and Fieldson picked up yellow cards and whilst there could be few complaints about the latter’s caution the former could consider himself unlucky.

Half time – Airdrieonians 0 Queen’s Park 2

Liam McLeish came out for the start of the second half with Rudden, who had been struggling with a back knock, staying in the changing room.

Airdrie were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on 50 minutes however the danger ended when a foul was awarded for a push on Duncan after Adam Frizzell’s delivery into the box.

The play switched to the other end and Thomas slipped a pass to Duncan who tried to find the far corner with a deft chip with the ball just going over the bar.

Queen’s had an escape on 55 minutes when Mason Hancock crossed for Wilson who clipped a shot against the woodwork.

Airdrie kept on probing however the young trio of Ujdur, Murray and Fieldson were standing firm ably assisted by Duncan and Scott as well as Ferrie who pushed two team-mates out of the way to punch a corner clear midway through the second half.

On 69 minutes Duncan was denied a debut goal when Hancock stuck out a leg to block after the on-loan Aberdeen man had connected with a Turner cut-back.

With 14 minutes left Ferrie was called into action to beat away a stinging 25 yard shot from home substitute Chris Mochrie with the Spiders shot-stopper rushing from his goal to punch clear two minutes later.

McLeish won a corner with five minutes left however there was no pressure put on the home goal and Airdrie broke forward as they looked to get back into things however Ferrie was able to cut out a pass into his box.

Ferrie kept his goal intact again as the clock ticked down as he dived to save a cross however the number one was caught as he threw the ball onto the ground to clear.

Wilson loitered and then popped up from behind Ferrie and looked to take possession and as the ball travelled outside of the box Ferrie dropped down to clear and handled in the process.

He was shown a red card for his efforts with Jack Wills brought on to make his debut and Thomas was sacrificed for the ten men.

Wilson sent the free-kick wide with the aid of a deflection with Wills playing his part in securing the win as the hosts tried to lay siege to his goal throughout injury time.

Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Nikola Ujdur, Dane Murray, Henry Fieldson, Ryan Duncan (Josh Hinds 70), Sean Welsh, Jack Turner (Louis Longridge 80), Roddy MacGregor, Josh Scott, Dom Thomas (Jack Wills 90+1), Zak Rudden (Liam McLeish 46).
Unused substitutes –, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, Timam Scott, Tyrece McDonnell, Magnus Mackenzie, Darryl Carrick.

Airdrieonians – Murray Johnson, Dylan MacDonald, Mason Hancock (Cammy Bruce 84), Ben Wilson, Adam Frizzell, Lewis McGrattan (Aaron Reid 60), Gavin Gallagher (Murray Aiken 84), Sam Graham, Terrell Agyemang, Rhys Armstrong (Chris Mochrie 70), Luke Bradley-Morgan.
Unused substitutes – Kieran Wright (G/k), Rhys McCabe, Cammy Cooper, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.

Referee – Craig Napier.