The temperature dial nudged 27° as Queen’s took to the field wearing their new Adidas red strip for the first time. Ross County’s experienced starting eleven included former Spider Simon Murray and it was the hosts who forced Queen’s keeper Calum Ferrie into a smart save after just two minutes.

Ross County pressed high up the pitch, making the Queen’s defence work hard to implement the passing game being demanded by the coaching staff.

An injury to a Ross County player after 20 minutes gave both teams a much needed impromptu drinks break as the players found the conditions challenging.

Just after the half hour mark the hosts opened the scoring. A through pass from Jack Thomson gave Ruari Paton a chance to fire a shot at the home goal. His effort was saved and County broke quickly. A through pass saw Simon Murray outpace the Queen’s defence, before rounding keeper Ferrie and tapping into the empty net.

Although Ross County hit the post following a corner just before half time, the Spiders defence held firm as the referee blew for half time.

Half-time: Ross County 1 Queen’s Park 0

Queen’s started the second period on the front foot, with signs of the passing game coming together. The hosts made a number of substitutions as the game progressed, while Queen’s found an increasing share of position in more advanced areas of the pitch without making the County keeper work too hard.

With 10 minutes to play, Queen’s equalised as Thomson slotted the ball into the corner of the net following neat build up play from Dom Thomas.

Ross County forced Ferrie into a fine save before Queen’s raced to the other end winning a late corner. A Charlie Fox header failed to find the target, however the ball fell to Ruari Paton who fired confidently past the home keeper to seal victory for the Spiders.

Full-time: Ross County 1 Queen’s Park 2

At the final whistle, the players and coaching staff went across to acknowledge the travelling Queen’s fans who had made the long trek to the Highlands.

Next up is our first home competitive game of pre season, when Livingston come to Lesser Hampden giving Queen’s their second test against Premiership opposition as the build up to the new season continues.