Smith to the rescue

A LATE Liam Smith equaliser all-but secured Queens’ spot in the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup. But it was a tough watch for the travelling fans as the Doonhamers struggled against DG rivals and League Two outfit Stranraer. Queens came close to opening the scoring at Stair Park when debutee Kian Leslie delivered to the front post for Mikey Hewitt. As the defender tried to bundle the ball home, Blues stopper Josh Lane managed to take control and hold on the line. Up the other end, Aaron Quigg – who netted the winner in the previous encounter in the League Cup – rose highest to get on the end of James Dolan’s cross and his header had the beating of Ross Stewart but not the crossbar. Stranraer found themselves with a real chance just after the half hour mark when Edgar was played through. The frontman managed to squeeze the ball through Stewart’s legs but the offside flag had already gone up. Stewart was called into action once more when he made a terrific save to tip away Jordan Stuart’s 20-yard effort. On the stroke of half-time, Taylor Charters seized on a slack defensive header from Lewis Reid but then lobbed both Lane and the goal. Within the opening five minutes of the restart, Queens were left cursing the woodwork. Niall Rogerson’s looping header left Lane with no chance but it came back off the crossbar and Stranraer held on. But Stranraer were the team to open the scoring in comical fashion. Goalkeeper Stewart and Matty Douglas exchanged passes in the box and speedy striker Sallu Turay charged down the keeper’s attempted clearance and it spun into the net. Over the remaining half an hour, Stranraer looked the more likely to find the game’s second goal. Substitute Deryn Lang saw one effort go just over the bar and another turned round the post before Lewis Hunter’s header flew just the wrong side of the upright. However, there would be time for the visitors to rescue a point. Sub Cole Burke managed to get a cross in with Lane keeping out Smith’s effort from close range. The winger was quickest to react and managed to turn the ball in from a tight angle, despite Lane’s best efforts to keep it out. The result secures Stranraer’s place in the knockout stages but Queens only need a point from the last remaining group match – against Motherwell B at Palmerston – to progress. Even if Queens lose that one, they’ll probably have enough to qualify. @Normal: @In Brief Bold Body Copy:<z7.000>Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, McKnight (Sharp 82), Stuart, Quigg (Russell 73), McManus, Dolan, Turay (Hunter 82), Edgar (Lang 68). Subs not used: Coll, O’Donnell and Henderson. QoS: Stewart, Hewitt, Charters, Douglas, Johnstone (Burke 83), Lyon, Rogerson, Stott, Kennedy, Leslie (Smith 62), O’Donoghue (Gray 46). Subs not used: Mackenzie, Thomson and Green. Ref: Cameron Stirling. Crowd: 565.