LATEST MATCH SUMMARY

Mathieson
Lilley	Rowe	Thompson	Aitken
Bailey	Nesovic	Leslie	Boyle
Armstrong		Adams

SUBSTITUTES
Mallan 30 mins	Townsley 50 mins	Weir 70 mins

Queens made a swift exit from the Scottish Cup again this season after a game full of controversial incidents. It started badly for Queens when in a tactical ploy to play the first half with the low winter sun at their backs, they left the dressing room early and took unusually to the Terregles Street end, this would of course have been a smart move, but as a taster for things to come County had the luck, won the toss and promptly turned Queens around to face the sun.

Despite this minor setback Queens stated the game brightly and penned County back into their own half for most of the first thirty minutes, County being seen as an attacking force purely in counter attacks which were being well dealt with by the returning Jim Thompson and the consistent George Rowe. On loan young striker Gareth Armstrong was proving a real thorn in the flesh of the heavyweight County defence with his persistence and nimble footwork, in fact two of the best chances of the half fell to him, firstly he was put clean through on ex-Rangers, Hearts and Scotland keeper Nicky Walker but his shot was beaten out by the experienced keeper, his second chance came when he turned quickly on a long through ball to connect imperfectly and again the keeper made a good diving save to beat the ball out. Strike partner Charlie Adams too had his chances in this frantic first period when he chased the keeper down forcing Walker to attempt a rushed clearance which Adams almost managed to direct into the net but had to watch in agony as it rolled just past the upright and out for a bye kick.

At this stage it was looking reasonably comfortable for Queens with only the occasional break away causing minor problems, that is until the thirty second minute when an uncharacteristic lapse by big Jim Thompson whilst attempting to make a routine clearance from a long hopeful through ball allowed County striker Tarrant to control the ball very handily and run through to strike the ball past the helpless Mathieson to open the scoring. The cries of the Dumfries fans and players for handball were waved away by the referee Mr Martindale and his assistant on the far side.

Queens quickly reorganised and in an attempt to capitalise on the pressure and chances being created Stevie Mallan was brought on for Charlie Adams. Seconds after this change however an almost carbon copy goal was scored by Neil Tarrant for County, a similar through ball and again same handy control demonstrated by the big man. Same appeals by the Queens fans and players, same result from Mr Martindale and his assistant, who also managed to lose his footing on the Astroturf running strip in the excitement and slide a good ten yards down the line.

Just as the Queens defence were trying to regroup a County player went down in the box amongst a ruck of players from both sides and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Tarrant to score his third completing his hat trick and making it a hat trick of hat tricks this season for the men from Dingwall.

The first half petered out with the referee receiving a hot reception from the fans as he left the field of play at half time. Queens started the second half with the same formation that had left the field at half time but within a couple of minutes big Jim Thompson had to be replaced by part time central defender Derek Townsley. This allowed Queens to be a bit more creative coming forward but more often than not the final ball through to the forwards went astray, both Mallan and Armstrong making some good runs but neither being in a position to finish.

The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with Queens dictating play but not being rewarded for the hard work. There were a number of near things, Mark Weir, when he came on for Dennis Boyle caused concern in the County defence with his direct running, his forceful play and accurate shooting forcing Walker to make a couple of solid saves. With Queens fighting to the end a consolation goal came when Armstrong from close in in the box crossed for Nesovic, who was clear in the six yard box, to tap home. Another goal could have come near the end but the final through balls were not going to find their men today.

Predictably Tennent's Man of the Match was Neil Tarrant of Ross County.

Please remember that next weeks game against East Fife takes place on Sunday.