Cameron Bruce was included after returning from Scotland under-18 duty however Callan McKenna and Lennon Connolly were not listed after their stints with the national side’s under-17 squad.

The Spiders created the first moment of danger on three minutes when Scott released Zach Mauchin on the right and his cut-back found McLeish with the Ayrshire side’s defence regrouping to prevent a shot on their goal.

Two minutes later nice work from Calum Biggar teed up Gregor Nicol on the left with Aidan Glavin in the Kilmarnock goal scooping up Nicol’s low drive.

On 12 minutes Killie threatened for the first time through a solo effort from Bobby Wales with Jacques Heraghty well placed to save with the Queen’s shot-stopper called into action again two minutes later to push past a shot from Stephen Warnock after a good ball from Kirk McKnight.

Midway through the opening half a handball by McLeish was punished 25 yards out from his home goal with Heraghty happy to see Warnock’s effort clear his bar.

On 29 minutes McLEISH was involved in a much more positive fashion as he grabbed the opening goal. Nicol’s trickery took him from the left wing into the Kilmarnock box where he found McLeish who looked to be tripped however the attacking midfielder did not complain about the lack of a whistle as he jumped up and slammed the loose ball home from six yards.

Two minutes later it could have been two nil to the hosts when Alex Fairlie chipped a cross into the path of McLeish who headed just over following a move from a short corner.

With 10 minutes to the break only a strong challenge prevented Nicol having a crack at goal after fine build-up play from Biggar and Scott.

A second goal did arrive on 43 minutes when Nicol curled a corner to the back post where REID rose to head home in fine style from six yards.

Just before half-time another set piece delivery from Biggar created a chance as Alex Bannon met a free-kick with a volley that was blocked by Glavin’s legs.

The second half was just a few minutes old when a McLeish header was cleared from the Kilmarnock line with Fairlie unable to turn the loose ball into the net.

Kilmarnock gave a reminder that they were still in the game on 53 minutes when their trialist released Warnock on goal with Heraghty having to use his legs to block. The Rugby Park side then created danger again as Jon Craig’s deep cross was flicked wide by Kian Leslie.

It was Queen’s turn to come close just before the hour mark as Scott timed a through ball to Biggar perfectly with only a post keeping out the midfielder’s effort with Nicol seeing his follow-up effort pushed past.

Shortly afterwards McLeish drove forward and cut a pass back to Scott who watched in agony as his high shot was finger-tipped to safety.

A diving header from Fairlie following a whipped in Nicol free-kick flashed past before Glavin denied Fairlie after he cracked a Zack Mauchin cut-back goalward.

Visiting skipper McKnight picked up his second yellow card on 74 minutes following an aerial joust and Bannon sent Biggar’s cross from the resultant free-kick past Glavin only to see the ball hit the inside of the post and bounce clear.

Five minutes later the woodwork again denied Queen’s – this time twice – as a delicate Bruce cross came back off the bar and dropped to McLeish who volleyed against the same spot of wood.

There were loud claims for a penalty on 87 minutes when Fairlie tumbled in the box however nothing was given but the Queen’s Park players were ‘Singing in the Rain’ three minutes later when they clinched their win.

Biggar was the architect with some deft footwork and a pass to SCOTT who slipped the ball onto his right foot before curling a shot into the Kilmarnock goal from 18 yards out.

Queen’s Park: Jacques Heraghty, Cameron Bruce (Joseph Smith 81′), Calum Biggar, Alex Fairlie, Alex Bannon, Gregor Nicol, Zach Mauchin, Lewis Reid, Andrew Lind, Liam McLeish (Archie Graham 81′), Timam Scott.

Subs not used: Liam Russell (G/k), Kane Thomson, Liam McQuaid.

Kilmarnock: Aidan Glavin, Kirk McKnight, Jon Craig (Zander Craic 55′), Kabir Singh, Sean Clark, Andrew Miller, Kian Leslie, Trialist (Aaron Quigg 55′), Bobby Wales (Cameron Mulvanny 70′), Stephen Warnock (Nathan Smith 70′), Aaron Brown (Ethan Mersey 55).

Subs not used: Rohan Harkins, Harvey Gilmour, Shaun Kennedy