Queen’s Park B kept up their interest in The cinch Reserve League chase with a 1-0 win over Ayr United at The city Stadium thanks to Kane Thomson’s second half goal.
The Queen’s side enjoyed plenty of patient build-up play in the opening minutes with Zach Mauchin, Lewis Reid and Cammy Bruce driving the team forward from defence and Ricky Waugh doing likewise from midfield.
Despite pressure no clear-cut chances were created with Ayr’s Franny Amartey leading a breakaway on six minutes that was mopped up by Ben Ferguson.
Thomson, who was playing in an advanced role on the right, earned a corner on 11 minutes however no danger threatened.
Five minutes later Lewis Reid found Liam McLeish with a whipped in cross from the left however Charlie Albinson was perfectly placed to catch the striker’s hooked volley from 18 yards.
Pressure from Scott Williamson midway through the opening half allowed him to win a duel for a Bruce flick and pick out Liam McLeish with a cut-back with Albinson getting a touch to turn the number nine’s shot wide.
Ayr responded with an Amartey shot from 16 yards that rose and cleared Wills’ bar with The Spiders shot-stopper called into action shortly afterwards to deal with a Jack Allan drive from the edge of the box.
The hosts moved back to the other end and again enjoyed the majority of possession however Albinson was not being overly troubled in terms of making saves.
Queen’s did carve out a chance two minutes from the break with a fine move involving Bruce and Ricky Waugh setting up Alex Fairlie to release Thomson with McLeish swivelling and sending his cross past.
Half-time – Queen’s Park 0 Ayr United Reserves 0
Two minutes into the second half a goal arrived for QP in fine style as Bruce sent over a cross from the left and THOMSON rose at the back post and sent a firm header crashing high into the net.
Thomson turned creator a minute later as he sent Mauchin clear with Albinson forced to save his low drive with his legs.
Williamson came close with a powerful drive before Amartey found Allan at the edge of the box with Wills showing quick feet as he saved his deflected shot.
Queen’s were denied a second goal on 57 minutes when a precise Reid pass opened up the Ayr defence to send Reid scampering away on the left and when his cross dropped at the feet of Williamson his shot took a touch from a defender before travelling wide.
Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia almost marked his introduction instantly by setting up a second goal with a run and cross that visiting defender Lewis Allan was inches away from turning into his own net.
On 65 minutes Amartey showed his pace as he darted into the home box with Wills forced into a save with his legs to keep out The Honest Man’s parting shot.
The visitors came close to a leveller with 15 minutes left when Allan’s free-kick from the left travelled to the back post where it was met be a header from Carter Jenkins that came crashing off the post before going behind.
Queen’s replied and came close themselves in a similar fashion as Ricky Waugh flighted in a free-kick that Reid met with a firm header only for the ball to bounce wide of Albinson’s goal.
With 84 minutes played Amartey came close again after another surging run and shot with Wills glad to see his goal untroubled as the ball rose over with the goalkeeper doing well two minutes later as he took charge of the six-yard box as he rose and gathered a corner under pressure.
Wills kept his goal intact with a dash from his line and a scoop up to deny Amartey as he looked to get in behind with Queen’s Park B seeing things out in injury time to secure another three points.
Queen’s Park B – Jack Wills, Zach Mauchin (Joseph Smith 60), Cameron Bruce (Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia 60), Ben Ferguson, Lewis Reid, Ricky Waugh, Kane Thomson, Lennon Connolly, Liam McLeish (Lucas McCormick 60), Alex Fairlie (Ross McLean 72), Scott Williamson (Max Fiddes 83).
Unused substitutes – Zach Balfour (G/k), Darryl Carrick, Tyreece McDonnell.
Ayr United Reserves – Charlie Albinson, Dylan Watret, Jude McClymont, Carter Jenkins, Lewis Allan, Dario Viviani (Reece Craig 85), Franny Amartey, Shaun Donnelly, Jack Allan (David Craig 80), Bruce Strachan (Lucas McRoberts 67), Max Guthrie (Joe Cassidy 80).
Unused substitutes – Liam Bruels (G/k).
