Howler of the season as Queen’s beat leaders Elgin

Queen's Park players celebrate David Gault scoring the first goal in a 3-1 home League 2 win over Elgin, September 19, 2015

The hosts made the breakthrough after 28 minutes. Galt did superbly well to turn Duff and drive in on goal. Duggan was screaming for the cutback, but David had only one thought on his mind and buried the ball past Hurst from a tight angle to put Queen’s one up.

Nicolson was booked in the follow-up for suggesting too loudly that Galt had fouled Duff in the lead up to the goal. And seconds later, Duff followed him into the book as he decked the striker.

Galt was booked on 41 minutes when he was adjudged to have raised his boot too high going for a cross from McVey.

Things got a bit feisty five minutes into the second half when Duggan and Nicolson clashed in the middle of the park. There didn’t look too much in it, but referee Roncone yellow carded both players. As it was the second for Nicolson, off he went.

Things were getting a bit heated at this stage and McVey copped a sore one as he broke on the right.

Queen’s scored a second goal on 59 minutes when Woods laid the ball back to McKernon just outside the box and he beat Hurst low to his left.

It was almost 3-0 two minutes later when Wharton powered in a free-kick that Hurst did well to touch onto the bar.

Elgin made a double switch after 63 minutes, replacing Duff and Gunn with Reilly and MacPhee.

Duggan then saw red after 66 minutes. The striker lost control as he chased a ball into the corner. Frustrated at his own failings, he kicked the ball towards the perimeter wall – missed that – and saw the ball disappear down the tunnel.

Queen’s were undoubtedly rattled now and replaced McElroy with Carter.

But the visitors got back in the game after 71 minutes when Macleod knocked the ball on and McLaren pounced to fire it past Muir and make it 2-1.

Woods almost restored Queen’s two-goal lead but keeper Hurst smothered the effort well.

They were gifted a third goal with a candidate for howler of the season. Cooper shied the ball gently back to Hurst who tried to control it on his left peg before clearing.

The keeper got it all wrong and the ball nicked off his ankle and trundled towards the goal. Hurst failed to react and the ball tricked ever so slowly into the empty net to put Queen’s 3-1 ahead.

It was an entertaining afternoon which will perhaps be best remembered for the bizarre own goal which sealed the Queen’s victory.