Queen's Park 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 505

Scorers ~ Queen's Park : Clark (19). Albion Rovers : Stirling (90).

It was derby day in the 3rd division and Rovers visited Hampden on the back of a win at 1st division Queen of the South. Queen's meanwhile had been making the headlines for the wrong reasons, their manager resigning after altercations at Elgin last Saturday. Rovers Paul McManus wasn't included in the squad due to his injury reappearing.

Rovers Graeme McLaren was first to have a go at goal in the first minute but his shot was wide. Now it was Queen's who took control of the match with former Cliftonhill favourite Ally Graham being stopped in the Rovers box by a well judged Jered Stirling tackle. Seconds later Jamie McGowan also denied Graham on the edge of the box.

Queen's pushed forward once more and a Paul Harvey cross to Ross Clark who was inside the Rovers box lead to the youngster forcing Chris Fahey to save from his header. Paul Harvey was again on the attack this time side-stepping McLaren to have a shot of his own that Fahey stopped.

Rovers started to fight back and Mark Yardley passed to John Bradford in on goal but his shot was blocked. In 17 minutes John Bradford shot from short-range but the ball hit the outside of the net. A minute later he was in on goal once more but his attempted chip of the 'keeper failed when Crawford stretched to pluck the ball out of the air.

In 19 minutes the Spiders took the lead when Rovers captain passed the ball back for no apparent reason to Clark who was on his own at the edge of the Rovers penalty box. Clark had time to take control of the ball and hit a low shot past Fahey.

Rovers attempted to hit back and had much of the possession for quite a while after the goal but didn't manage any shots of note until the half-hour mark when a Stirling shot went yards over from about 30 yards. Rovers squandered another chance when Stirling hit a corner onto the head of Bradford who was in the centre of the Spiders goal but the ball went over again. It was Bradford who shot past by a small margin following a McLaren pass before Mercer missed with a header.

Visiting fans held their breath when a weak Frankie Carroll shot from 18 yards was almost latched onto by Alan Trouten as Fahey picked it up. On the stroke of half-time David McCallum swung in a cross which Brian Blair dipped to header wide of its target from a few yards out.

Second Half

After what was no doubt a half-time roasting from the manager Rovers started positively with Bradford heading against the post. Seconds later a header by a defender cleared a dangerous Stirling free-kick into the home penalty area.

Queen's hit back when a Trouten pass gave Frankie Carroll space to nip past Fahey but his weak shot was blocked on the goal line by Danny Black. In 56 minutes Rovers were awarded a penalty when Paul Harvey brought down Marc McKenzie. Up stepped dead-ball expert Jered Stirling who opted for accuracy rather than power, and although well placed close to the post 'keeper Crawford had time to dive to turn the ball out for a corner. Crawford was also equal to Mercer's header from the resultant corner. 

Spurred on by remaining behind Rovers continued plugging away at goal, Bradford heading past yet again after a Mercer through ball. Each side had another shot miss the target before veteran Ally Graham saw his quality shot from distance being saved by the diving Rovers 'keeper. Mercer headed over from a Stirling free-kick then Danny Black shot past the post before a Stirling corner gave Mercer another header which was saved by Crawford in the Queen's goal.

The amateurs struck back in 77 minutes when a Molloy pass to Harvey was given to Trouten whose shot demanded and received a good save from Fahey. A shot from substitute Felvus seemed to be offside as the ball was put through to him in a move in which he tested Chris Fahey who was equal to the task.

As the match entered its final 10 minutes things weren't calming down and Marc McKenzie turned quickly on the edge of the box to shoot, but it went just past the junction of post and bar. McKenzie it was again after a deftly struck Yardley pass on the wing but his tame shot was stopped by Crawford.

Substitute Scott Crabbe (who had replaced Bradford) provided a cross which Mark Yardley dummied for McKenzie to latch onto, his low shot didn't unduly trouble Crawford. A defensive error almost gave Rovers a goal in 86 minutes when Agostini headed back to his 'keeper only to see it intercepted by Mark Yardley, unfortunately his header was just a tad too high.

As play moved to the other end of the park an Ally Graham header was cleared off the line following a Harvey corner. Another attempt by each side failed before a Stirling free-kick into the box rebounded out to McKenzie whose shot was the proverbial mile over.

By now the match was deep into injury time but as has been evidenced in recent weeks Rovers don't quit until the final whistle is blown. One last attack was halted in its tracks at the edge of the "D" when Reilly committed a foul on a Rovers player. As usual it was Jered Stirling who stepped up to take the kick and he thumped it through the wall leaving 'keeper Crawford no chance.

Patrick and McKenzie of Rovers and McCallum of Queen's received bookings during the match. 

Summary

The stats show Rovers had something double the attempts on goal that the Spiders had but poor finishing left the visitors relieved to get a draw. Oddly of 4 away games this season it has only been the 2 matches at first division teams that Rovers have managed to win.

Queen's Park : Crawford, Trouten, McCallum (Agostini 64), Rushford, Reilly, Molloy, Clark, Harvey (Kettlewell 89), Graham, Carroll (Felvus 70), Blair. Subs not used - Weatherston, McGovern.

Albion Rovers : Fahey, Silvestro, Stirling, Black, McGowan, McLaren, McKenzie, Patrick (McCaul 82), Yardley, Bradford (Crabbe 70), Mercer. Subs not used - Paterson, Connolly, Carr.

Referee : Jamie Downie

Man of the Match - Chris Fahey

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