Queen’s Park taken to penalties by Edinburgh

The home side had started the first half well, but it finished scoreless.

Queen’s were quickest out the blocks after the interval. New signing Craig McLeish did well to get in a cross from a tight position on the left and Berry’s shot was goalbound before being deflected wide.

Queen’s built on their lively start by taking control of proceedings, without making the home defence work too hard. With 13 minutes of the 90 remaining, Spiders fans began to fear the worst. And the home side did their best to make those fears come true as they enjoyed their best spell of possession in the entire game.

But an additional period started in much the same vein, with neither side able to create.

City changed that, however, after 10 minutes when they forced Muir into two excellent stops within a matter of seconds.

The Spiders’ stopper developed a reputation last season for lightning reactions, and demonstrated that as he kept out a near post flick from Gair. He followed that up with another excellent save from McDonald.

The first period of extra time fizzled out without much more action, and the same could be said of the entire second half. In fact, the only incidents noted during the latter stages of this entire tie were bookings.

Ten seconds from the end, Queen’s subbed McLeish for McElroy – a clear hint that young Ciaran was designated a penalty taker ...but would he be a hero?

Queen’s went 3-1 up thanks to Woods, Wharton and Tony Quinn’s spot-kicks and Muir stopping Muhsin and Carse from the visitors. Gair scored to give the home side hope.

McElroy had the chance to seal victory with almost his first touch of the ball, but his effort was easily saved by the city keeper. However, Muir was in the mood to be a hero and saved Osborne’s effort.