Queen of the South 2-1 St Mirren: Holders out

Steven Thompson: Helped St Mirren take the lead with header. Picture: SNS

Scorers: Queen of the South - McKenna 102, Paton 115; St Mirren - Thompson 95

Referee: C Charleston

Attendance: 2,073

Palmerston Park last night must have seemed a million miles away from Hampden Park and the celebrations that followed the Buddies’ superb cup final triumph over Hearts last season.

However, this was another demonstration that the Doonhamers are a side who can mix it with the big boys. If there had been a dearth of genuine goalmouth action during regulation time, the sides made up for it throughout a dramatic period of overtime.

Almost immediately Saints were handed the perfect chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after Michael Paton was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Steven Thompson inside the box.

However, Paul McGowan, on as a late substitute, saw his spot kick brilliantly saved by Antell.

McGowan must have been breathing a sigh of relief just two minutes later when Thompson put the Buddies ahead with a bullet header from Teale’s cross.

However, the Doonhamers showed remarkable resilience, rolling their sleeves up to turn the tie around with a superb fightback.

Stephen McKenna levelled it seven minutes later with a long-range strke and the Championship side might even have been ahead before half-time in the extra period when Iain Russell went close.

The winner eventually arrived when Antell took route one with a long clearance which Derek Lyle flicked into the path of Paton. And the man who had conceded the penalty atoned in spectacular fashion with a volley that nestled in the corner of the net.

This match had been ear-marked by many for a shock as in-form Queens entertained St Mirren who may be holders but have struggled so far this season.

However, the away fans seemed oblivious to the dangers posed by the Doonhamers as they joyfully sang about their triumph in this competition last year. .

Queen of the South: Antell, Mitchell, Holt, Young (Reilly 70), Durnan, Dowie, McKenna, Burns (McGuffie 18), Lyle, Paton, Carmichael (Russell 83). Subs not used: Atkinson. Higgins.

St Mirren: Cornell, van Zanten, Goodwin, McGinn, Harkins, Thompson, McLean, 1 McAusland, Teale, Newton (McGowan 76), Grainger. Subs: McGregor, Caprice, Reilly, Dilo