The game got off to a fast start with the first eight minutes seeing Livingston go close directly from a free-kick before scoring with the visiting Spiders earning and then missing a penalty.

With three minutes gone Queen’s goalkeeper Jacques Heraghty was just able to turn over a fiercely struck angled free-kick from Dylan Bahamboula at the expense of a corner.

The hosts kept up the pressure through a succession of corners however the visitors broke forward three minutes later but when the move broke down, they found themselves a goal behind.

Livi regained possession and broke forward from their own half and James Penrice found space on the left flank where he sent a deep cross to the back post which was volleyed in by one-time Queen’s Park player Steven Bradley from eight yards with Heraghty getting a hand to the effort but that was not enough to keep the ball out of his goal.

The Black and White youngsters were given a great chance to draw level on eight minutes when Scott Williamson was fouled by John Binnie however Calum Biggar slid the resultant penalty past the post.

On 18 minutes it was 2-0 to the hosts when the ball was cut back to Bradley from the left bye-line and he sent a shot arrowing low into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Midway through the first half Cameron Bruce sent over a fine cross from the left that was met by Liam McLeish who was off target with a header.

Just before the half-hour mark Livingston grabbed a third goal through a fine effort from Bahamboula who picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and charged forward before exchanging passes with Max Williamson.

The striker then left a trial of defenders trailing as he darted to the edge of the box where he sent a sent crashing past Heraghty.

Queen’s lost Zach Mauchin to what looked like an arm injury with Kane Thomson brought on as a replacement and right on half-time the replacement surged down the right and picked out McLeish with a cut-back and Jack Hamilton did well to block his fierce effort with his chest.

Six minutes into the restart Heraghty threw himself to his right to push away a drive from Jamie Brandon after the Livi man had burst clear.

Queen’s looked to make the most of that stop and four minutes later Lewis Reid sent Williamson clear on the left with the striker rippling the side-netting with a powerful shot.

On the hour mark Reid met a Biggar corner with a header that looked net bound until a late deflection took the ball over the bar.

Alex Fairlie almost marked his introduction with a quick-fire goal however his low drive was inches out although the young Spiders did not have long to wait for a goal.

McLeish was brought crashing to the ground 22 yards out and he stepped up to take the free-kick with most people in the ground expecting a shot.

Instead, the midfielder chipped a pass to the penalty spot where it fell to WILLIAMSON who side-footed home.

Three minutes later a cross from the visitors’ trialist was tipped away from Williamson and from the resultant corner Alex Bannon sent a powerful header high towards the home goal where Hamilton produced a great stop with the Lions goalkeeper also doing well to keep out Williamson’s follow up.

With 18 minutes remaining a 60-yard pass from McLeish sent Williamson scurrying away on the left with the goal-grabber crowded out when he brought the ball back onto his right foot for a shot.

As Queen’s continued to be on top Thomson slipped a delightful pass through to Fairlie who was denied by Hamilton who had raced from goal to save.

Unfortunately, there was no further scoring despite a brave attempt by the visitors.

Queen’s Park: Jacques Heraghty, Cameron Bruce, Calum Biggar, Scott Williamson, Alex Bannon, Gregor Nicol ((Alex Fairlie 60’) (Liam McQuaid 81’)), Zach Mauchin (Kane Thomson 35’), Lewis Reid, Andrew Lind (Trialist 60’), Liam McLeish, Lennon Connolly.

Subs not used: Liam Russell (G/k), Archie Graham, Joseph Smith

Livingston: Jack Hamilton, Jamie Brandon (Che Reilly 46’), James Penrice, Clan Ledingham, John Binnie, Euan Griffiths, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia (Marshall Boyd 90’), Dylan Bahamboula (Trialist 46’), Max Williamson, Steven Bradley (Rudi Bryce 46’)

Subs not used: Jack McLean, Jay McFarlane-Letham.