Sinclair (qpfc.com)

There has been little to separate these two sides this season, and so it proved once more. A draw was always the likely outcome, the major disappointment being that neither set of supporters had much to cheer about on a day when defences were well on top.

Collins served notice of his shooting power in the 5th minute when he pulled a powerful long range effort wide of the target, but Queen's were first to warm a goalkeeper's hands three minutes later when Ally Graham's downwards header from a measured Danny Ferry cross was grabbed on his line by McCulloch.

A right wing corner from Ross Clark was headed off the line at the near post in the 13th minute, as was Brian Blair's header from the rebound.

Collins sliced his next effort wide before McBride tried his luck from a long way out, but his effort trundled well wide of David Crawford's goal. Shooting from long distance seemed to be the order of the day, and Brian Blair wasn't that far away with his 40 yard attempt which only just cleared McCulloch's crossbar.

Then Collins sent his third effort of the first half hour well over the Queen's crossbar. Much closer was Savage's 30-yarder which dipped inches over David Crawford's bar.

Queen's looked odds on to take the lead in the 32nd minute when Ally Graham unselfishly nodded down an Alan Trouten cross from the left wing into the path of Frankie Carroll on the edge of McCulloch's six yard box. However as the Queen's striker pulled the trigger, McGregor came rushing in to make a fantastic last ditch clearance.

The last action of a reasonably entertaining first half came in the 37th minute when McBride's direct free kick went narrowly past David Crawford's left hand post.

Shortly after the resumption Frankie Carroll took his turn to have a go from a similar position, but McCulloch was untroubled as the shot was sliced well wide of the 'keeper's left hand post. A first time effort from Murphy was next to fly past its intended destination.

McCulloch was called into serious action for the second time in the game in the 53rd minute when Ally Graham managed to get a toe to a low left wing cross from Frankie Carroll, but his connection lacked sufficient power to evade McCulloch's clutches. Two minutes later the home 'keeper saved well from Brian Blair while, at the other end, Crawford remained a virtual spectator as firstly a header from McGrillen flashed wide, and then former Spider Fallon drove well wide from 35 yards out.

McCulloch made the save of the game in the 69th minute when he dived full length to grab a low cutback from Mark Ferry which Frankie Carroll was on the point of prodding home.

The home side's unimpressive record of missing the target continued with a back post header from Knox being next to go astray.

Ally Graham swivelled to send a chip on the run over the bar in the 72nd minute, and then David Crawford was finally given something to do when substitute Davidson volleyed the ball straight at the 'keeper with his first touch just after having come on. The introduction of Davidson seemed to give the home side increased impetus, and they began to create the more clear cut chances.

Alan Trouten was booked for tapping the ball away to prevent a quick free kick, one of the few correct decisions made by referee Stephen Finnie all game, before David Crawford was called upon to earn his corn.

Firstly he had to dive to his left to hold on to a downwards header from Knox, before he could only watch as a sizzler from Davidson just cleared his bar. With two minutes remaining, Collins finally got a shot on target which Crawford held well, and a minute later he made a straightforward save from Murphy's low shot.

A draw at Ochilview is seldom a bad result for Queen's who battled hard throughout the 90 minutes superbly marshalled by Richard Sinclair at the back. Whilst there was no shortage of effort from any Queen's player, there was a definite lack of guile, and Paul Harvey was badly missed.

Next Saturday sees Montrose travel south to Hampden, and Queen's could badly do with all three points to keep them from sinking back into the bottom half of the table. Third place remains a distinct target, but wins at home to Mo, and then away to 'Shire, are essential if the gap on Cowdenbeath is to be closed.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  2/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Richard Sinclair (superb first touch, great distribution and won everything both in the air and on the ground - the complete defensive performance!)

QUEEN’S PARK : David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Danny Ferry, Gavin Rushford, Richard Sinclair, Brian Blair (Bryan Felvus - 77), Stuart Kettlewell, Ross Clark, Ally Graham, Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry

Subs (not used) :  Alexander Cowie (G/K), Tony Quinn, Jonny Whelan, Shaun Molloy

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Trouten (ungentlemanly conduct - 81)

STENHOUSEMUIR : Willie McCulloch, Keith Knox, Stevie Fallon, Stewart Easton, Steven McGregor, Paul Murphy, Martin Lauchlan, Lee Collins, Joseph Savage (Ryan Davidson - 73), John Paul McBride, Paul McGrillen

Subs (not used) : David Orr (G/K), David Morrison, Thomas Sinclair, Trialist

Scorer(s) :   none

Booked : none

REFEREE : Stephen Finnie *  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)

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