Head Coach Owen Coyle made two changes to the starting line-up with Alex Bannon handed a place in defence from the first whistle with the creative Patrick Jarrett also recalled.

Charlie Fox was absent due to suspension with Stephen Eze and Aaron Healy moving to the substitutes’ bench with Josh McPake not included in the match day squad.

Queen’s started with Grant Savoury on the right and Dom Thomas on the left with the Accies having the first chance after a Marcel Oakley foul on Andrew Winter. One-time Spider Connor Smith sent the dead ball flashing into the box with Bannon heading behind for a corner.

On five minutes Queen’s had their first glimpse of goal when Thomas worked himself into a shooting position 20 yards out however his effort was charged down.

Three minutes later the hosts threatened again when Connor Shields took charge 30 yards from Ryan Fulton’s goal and darted forward before firing in a thumping shot that flashed just wide.

On 12 minutes it looked like Coyle’s side had opened the scoring when Lee Kilday flicked a Thomas corner through a sea of legs and past Ryan Fulton only for Reghan Tumilty to pop up on the line and scoop the ball away.

Midway through the half referee Scott caused confusion when he penalised Kilday for handball when the defender landed on the ball after it looked like he was tripped. When the free-kick was lofted into the home box they were awarded a free-kick after Jack Thomson had taken a stray boot to the head.

Ten minutes from the break Calum Ferrie was called into action as he rushed from his line to gather a Scott Martin pass as Lucas De Bolle waited to pounce.

After a period of possession from the hosts a Shields chip to the back post was cleared for a corner that Kilday nodded wide.

On 38 minutes Kilday showed his prowess in his box as he stepped in to clear a dangerous low cross from Tumilty who had surged forward on the right.

Just before the 45 minute mark Tommy Robson joined his colleagues in attack and looked to pick out Savoury with a cross with the visiting defence stepping in with a clearance that went for a corner.

Jake Davidson replaced Thomson before the restart that almost got off to the worst possible start for the hosts when Smith broke free on the right just 20 seconds in with Ferrie rescuing his side with a fine stop.

Ferrie kept his goal intact again on 48 minutes when he blocked a close-range Dan O’Reilly effort with the number one needing treatment after being injured in the process.

On 54 minutes Thomas swept a cross-field pass from the left into the path of Savoury on the right with a corner the only reward after a pass to Shields was cut-out.

Four minutes later Thomas teed up Malachi Boateng up 20 yards out with the midfielder’s first time drive from 20 yards whistling a foot wide with the aid of a deflection.

With an hour gone coach Coyle turned to Scott Williamson in his search for a goal with Jarrett making way however it was Hamilton that created the next chance as a long clearance from Fulton released Winter with Oakley doing well to recover the situation.

Savoury almost provided the breakthrough on 68 minutes through a swerving free-kick with Fulton having to stretch wide to push the ball away.

Visiting appeals for a penalty were ignored with 20 minutes left with their coach Darian MacKinnon show a red card for showing his displeasure at the decision.

Accies’ frustrations were increased on 74 minutes when a cross from the left from Shields was headed out to SAVOURY at the edge of the box and he took a touch before sending a shot flashing high into the net.

A minute later it looked like it was 2-0 when Davidson fired past Fulton with the inside of a post coming to the rescue of Hamilton.

Winter fired wide on 79 minutes as the visitors looked to get level before their manager John Rankin made a triple change with the Spiders responding with a Savoury free-kick that almost released Shields.

On 88 minutes substitute Healy tried to grab a clincher for his side however his volley flashed high over.

Ferrie clutched a Jean Pierre Tiehi header as the clocked ticked down with an injury time free kick from Reegan Mimnaugh creating tension in the Queen’s six-yard box before it was cleared.

A late surging run from Shields took the ball deep into Hamilton territory and that ensured that the lead was held onto.

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie, Marcel Oakley, Alex Bannon, Lee Kilday, Tommy Robson, Jack Thomson (Jake Davidson 46’), Malachi Boateng, Dom Thomas (Aaron Healy 82’), Patrick Jarrett (Scott Williamson 60’), Grant Savoury (Lewis Moore 90+4′), Connor Shields.

Subs not used: Jacques Heraghty (G/k), Louis Longridge, Euan Henderson, , Cameron Bruce, Stephen Eze.

Hamilton Academical: Ryan Fulton, Dan O’Reilly, Scott Martin (Reegan Mimnaugh 67’), Benny Ashley-Seal (Jean Pierre Tiehi 67’), Tom Sparrow (Chris McGinn 79’), Dylan McGowan, Andy Winter(Dario Zanatta 79’), Connor Smith, Reghan Tumilty, Lucas De Bolle (Fergus Owens 79’), Steve Lawson.

Subs not used: Jamie Smith (G/k), Brian Easton, Lewis Smith, Dylan Stevenson.

Referee: Calum Scott