Falkirk took all three points under the lights, and in front of the BBC cameras, with a one nil win on a bitterly cold night at Hampden.
Queen’s Head Coach Callum Davidson made three changes to the starting 11, for the visit of league the leaders – Zak Rudden came in for Liam McLeish, Jack Turner replaced Ryan Duncan, and Josh Scott made his return to action as he replaced Henry Fieldson.
Ahead of the game club captain Dom Thomas was presented with a commemorative jersey to mark his 100th appearance for the club.
Calum Ferrie was forced into a good save on 7 minutes as a Nesbitt cutback made a chance for Ethan Ross to score but instinctive reactions from the ‘keeper kept the score level.
The Queen’s goalkeeper was in for a busy evening as he and Ross battled again, this time as a Miller cross on the right-hand side found Ross in the box, but his powerful attempt was stopped by Ferrie.
Queen’s skipper Thomas had a half chance on 20 minutes as he performed his trademark cut-in, but his left-footed shot went wide of the target.
The Spiders looked to take inspiration from that as Jack Turner drove into the box on 23 minutes, but his powerful effort struck the outside of the post.
The away side’s dominance eventually paid dividends after 26 minutes. A ball played out wide by Tait found Miller who fizzed a low ball to Aiden Nesbitt who wrong-footed Murray and clinically finished to put the league leaders ahead.
Josh Scott was booked for a foul on Miller on 36 minutes. The resultant free kick was taken quickly by Falkirk but Murray did well to block Spencer’s goalward shot.
The visitors continued to dominate play with some slick fast paced passing, however failed to add to their lead as the half time whistle blew.
Half time – Queen’s Park 0-1 Falkirk
The first opportunity in the second period came as a Spencer freekick was cushioned on by Henderson, a deflection left Calvin Miller alone in the box but his first time volley flashed wide of the target – a let off for the Spiders.
The Bairns had a guilt edged chance to double their lead on 57 minutes from a Tait cross however Oliver hit the bar with his header from 5-yards.
The Spiders were still searching for a foothold in the game as they made a double change before the hour mark with MacGregor and Fieldson replacing Drozd and Scott.
Queen’s perseverance eventually resulted in a corner with substitute McLeish playing the ball off the Falkirk defender following a rare venture forward for the home side. Sadly the corner failed to trouble the visitor’s defence.
It took 87 minutes for the spiders to get their first shot on target as Fieldson bombed forward and played the ball across to Thomas, but his effort was well saved by Hogath.
Hogath was then booked in additional time for timewasting, as the doors of the last chance saloon swung open. As the Spiders pushed everyone forward, a cushioned header found Thomson whose half volley went wide of the target.
The game ended in a win for the table toppers as Queen’s missed the chance to get back into the promotion play-off places.
Full time – Queen’s Park 0 Falkirk 1
Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie, Josh Scott, (Fieldson ’59) Sean Welsh, (Longridge ’74) Jack Thomson, Dom Thomas ©, Will Tizzard, Zak Rudden, (McLeish ’74) Jack Turner, (T. Scott ’83) Dane Murray, Seb Drozd, (MacGregor ’59) Cammy Kerr.
Unused Subs: Wills (GK), Mauchin, Hinds, Duncan.
Falkirk: Nicky Hogarth, Leon McCann, Liam Henderson, Brad Spencer © Aidan Nesbitt, (McKenna ’75) Gary Oliver, (MacIver ’68) Keelan Adams, Dylan Tait, (Yeates ’74) Luke Graham, Ethan Ross, (Mackie ‘83) Calvin Miller (Ageyman ’68)
Unused subs: McCafferty, Hayward.
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