For what was the only game being played in the Championship Queen’s head coach Owen Coyle listed the same side that started against Ayr United eight days ago with Marcel Oakley shaking off the knock he took on his debut that night.

The Greenock side, who won the earlier meeting between the clubs this season, had former Spider Jai Quitongo on the park from the first whistle with another former ‘Black and White’ favourite Grant Gillespie on the bench.

Skipper Tommy Robson won the toss and elected to switch ends with the Spiders shooting towards the goal that had Morton fans standing behind.

It was almost a dream start for the visitors with Grant Savoury finding Josh McPake on the left and the wide-man cut in and sent a curing shot towards the far corner only for Morton goalkeeper Brian Schwake to produce a fine diving stop at the expense of a corner.

Coyle’s side kept up the pressure and a whipped in free-kick from Dom Thomas two minutes later was nodded behind for a corner that was met by Shields however his headed cleared the bar.

With six minutes gone Robbie Muirhead met a Quitongo cross with a header that flashed over with the visitors aggrieved that referee Dickinson had blocked Savoury as he chased down the Morton man.

Jack Thomson picked up an early booking for a trip on Darragh O’Connor just past the half-way line with Ferrie dealing with Liam Grimshaw’s set-piece after it had bounced across his goalmouth.

Morton’s Calum Watters received a yellow card on 11 minutes after a sliding challenge on Oakley deep into the Queen’s half.

Three minutes later Queen’s took the lead when Thomas took control on the right wing and darted towards the home goal where he sent the ball towards the back-post with SAVOURY nipping behind O’Connor to poke home with the attacker mobbed by his team-mates after a glance at the stand-side assistant.

Morton drew level on 20 minutes when Quitongo won a race for a Cameron Blues header with Ferrie and when his shot hit the goalkeeper the ball ran to Oakley who tapped in from seven yards with many in the Queen’s camp disappointed that no foul was given in the build up for a foul on the shot-stopper.

The game had turned totally on his head two minutes later as Ferrie raced from his goal to try and chest clear a Muirhead pass from the edge of his box only for Oakley to take control and skip free before slamming home from 14 yards out.

Lee Kilday was able to continue after a kick on his ankle went unpunished with Thomas almost single-handedly bringing his side level with a run and shot that Schwake did well to turn over.

A Quitongo effort was scrambled against a post as Morton looked to increase their lead with the Morton man breaking through and hitting the side-netting with a low drive eight minutes from the break.

There was further disappointment for the visitors right on half-time as a Thomas free-kick dropped into a dangerous area however an offside flag ended the danger with Kilday booked in the aftermath.

The second half started in disappointing fashion as Morton grabbed a third goal in fortunate circumstances. A Muirhead corner was met by Quitongo and his header produced a stunning stop from Ferrie however there was nothing the number one could do when the loose ball was blasted against Jack Baird and rebounded into the net from close range.

Thomas again looked to lift his side with a run and shot with a corner his only reward on 52 minutes however Morton were soon on the attack again with Ferrie having to head clear as a Kilday pass-back spun into the air.

Coach Coyle went for an attacking response as Scott Williamson and Aaron Healy came on however just after the hour mark Oakley was denied a hat-trick as his fierce drive from 20 yards came crashing back off a post.

The visitors got back into the game midway through the second half as Robson fired for goal and SHIELDS stepped in to take control of the ball and shoot low past Schwake from five yards.

It almost got even better within 60 seconds as Healy swept a ball to the back post that looked to be sneaking in.

Williamson had the ball picked off his toes by Schwake as Queen’s looked to build up a head of steam roared on by their band of fans in the Main Stand.

On 81 minutes Kilday was robbed by Muirhead who looked set to grab Morton’s fourth however Ferrie kept his side in the game with a smart stop.

Savoury almost made the most of that reprieve with a curling free-kick three minutes from time with Schwake pleased to see the ball clear his goal.

In injury time Malachi Boateng wriggled clear in the Morton box to pick up a post however he was unable to get any power into his shot and the ball trickled wide.

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie, Marcel Oakley, Lee Kilday (Eze 85′), Charlie Fox, Tommy Robson, Jack Thomson (Jake Davidson 66′), Malachi Boateng, Dom Thomas (Aaron Healy 56′), Grant Savoury, Josh McPake (Scott Williamson 56′), Connor Shields.

Subs not used: Jacques Heraghty (G/k), Louis Longridge, Euan Henderson, Callum Biggar, Pat Jarret.

Morton: Brian Schwake, Darragh O’Connor, Jack Baird, Calum Waters, Cameron Blues, Robbie Muirhead, Jai Quitongo, Robbie Crawford, Lewis McGrattan (Grant Gillespie 66′), George Oakley (Alexander King 74′), Liam Grimshaw.

Subs not used: Lawton Green (G/k), Carlo Pignatiello, Ally Roy, Calvin Miller, Efe Ambrose, Michael Garrity.

Referee: David Dickinson