MICHAEL RUTH’S double helped Queen’s Park record their first league win of the season – 2-1 over Greenock Morton.

The striker scored in either half to cap a much improved performance across The city Stadium pitch.

Infact the Spiders could have scored several more but for some impressive goalkeeping from Elyh Harrison in the visiting goal.

He pushed away second half strikes from Tyrece McDonnell and Jack Hamilton – but Ruth’s double left him with no chance.

A shot on the spin into the top corner opened the scoring after 21 minutes and a quick-fire lob in the opening stages of the second half lifted Sean Crighton’s side off the bottom of the table.

The manager made one personnel change from the side which performed defensive heroics to earn a point from Partick Thistle last week. Lewis Stewart stepped up to replace the injured Magnus Mackenzie on the teamsheet and Ross McLean switched flank to cover on the left side of defence.

That was the personnel change The tactical and gameplan change made all the different too as the Spiders turned on the most dominant performance of the season, with plenty of attacking intent.

It was another typically hard-working performance ffrom each and every Spider involved.

When Louis Longridge was penalised for high foot on Laiith Fairnie in the fifth minute Nikolay Todorov was back to defend brilliantly.

At the other end Todorov was causing Christopher Cupps and Phil Croker problems, and Ruth looked in the mood playing off the Bulgarian.

Ruth sent Stewart running clear in the 14th minute with a brilliant weighted pass but Cupps hacked clear.

Ross McLean drive deflected over after yet more good play from Ruth, and Aidan Connolly, in the build-up.

A minute later the Spiders were ahead with a brilliant strike on the spin by Ruth. Louis Longridge’s floated ball was flicked on by Todorov into the striker’s feet and he dug the ball out, swivelled and sent the ball into the top corner of Harrison’s net.

The lead only lasted eight minutes though. Laiith Fairnie slid in a Callum Sandilands cross at the front post to level after Lewis Stewart had been penalised for a challenge on Michael Garrity.

Ten minutes from the interval there was a big shout for a Spiders penalty when Aidan Connolly was toppled in the area, but nothing came from referee Grant Irvine.

Ricki Lamie headed over a Scott Martin supply with Harrison poorly positioned as the Spiders searched for the lead again, but at the opposite end Jack Wills had to be alert to hold a Harry Cochrane effort on the strike of half-time.

After it, the Spiders sped into the lead they’d been searching for.
Michael Ruth sent a lovely lob over the goalkeeper after Euan Murray’s big ball forward was knocked back by Croker. Ruth paused his celebration to ensure the ball felt he right side of the crossbar and The city Stadium leapt.

More was to follow to get the home support off their seats but no more goals.

Harrison’s fingertips stopped a certain third as a brilliant ball from sponsors’ man of the match Carlo Pignatiello picked out Jack Hamilton. The substitute raced clear and struck from the edge of the area but the fingertips pushed the ball just wide.

Five minutes later sub Tyrece McDonnell forced another stop from the goalkeeper.

The game seemed firmly in the Spiders’ grasp, and McDonnell had another chance with ten to go but was caught on the break and his cutback to Aiden McCallion deflected onto the roof of the net.

Wills was man of the match last weekend and while not nearly half as busy this week was still crucial to the points haul. Every Queen’s Park player was.

He made a vital stop five minutes from time and the break that save began was inches away from being converted on the slide by Jack Hamilton.

In the end the points stayed at home, and deservedly so, after the first league victory at The city Stadium since April 10. 

The Spiders also move up the Championship table to eighth with a trip to sixth placed Dunfermline – two points better off – in store next week.