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COVE RANGERS 2–1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (Agg: 2-1)

The team dug deep to make history at a packed Balmoral Stadium, securing our first playoff final appearance with a deserved victory over the two legs. Mitch Megginson put us in front early on from the penalty spot, Blair Yule nudging in the second soon after half-time. Queens gave themselves hope with a late strike, but the boys held on, and the winning margin might have been greater.

Now they face Airdrieonians twice over the next week, bidding to secure a return to the Championship.

The manager made one change with Declan Glass in for Fraser Fyvie who had been taken off injured on Tuesday night and was deemed fit enough only to be named among the substitutes.

Mikey Doyle and Ryan Harrington maintained their ever-present records for the season, while both Mikey and Arron Darge made their 75^th appearances for the club.

Queens were unchanged from the goalless draw at Palmerston.

The visitors kicked-off, and they were first to threaten, Lyon passing infield to where Cochrane took a touch before shooting from twenty yards, his effort flying wide of Nick Suman’s right post.

We hit right back, Mitch Megginson finding Declan Glass who played in Adam Emslie, Hewitt scrambling his delivery out for a corner.

The opening goal was however delayed only briefly.

Findlay Marshall and Dylan Lobban linked up nicely to find Megginson in the area, and when the ball ran free Marshall fastened on to it, only to be brought crashing to the ground by Cochrane. It was a clear penalty.

Mitch MEGGINSON was the coolest man in the stadium as he stepped up to fire the spot-kick high into the roof of the net.

We kept up the pressure, Arron Darge seeing his long-range strike deflected wide, and Adam Emslie forced a succession of corners, none of which bore fruit.

Queens won a corner just before the half hour mark, Hannah heading well over at the back post.

Adam Emslie continued to look dangerous but was unable to find a decisive cross, the visitors’ back-line standing firm, and our only other opportunity came shortly before the break, Emslie and Harrington combining to find Megginson, the striker’s shot from the edge of the box bouncing wide.

The team took a grip on the tie soon after the restart when, after a poor clearing header, Blair YULE controlled on his chest, and with the keeper advancing, managed to get a touch to divert it beyond him. Douglas attempted to clear off the line but could only knock the ball into the net.

Darge, Megginson and Emslie all linked-up in our next move, Glass spreading play to Findlay Marshall, who cut inside to shoot, Stewart making a fine save.

Queens thought they had snatched a lifeline when Luissint netted from close range, but their celebrations were quietened when the assistant raised his flag for offside.

Mitch Megginson was forced to limp off soon after, replaced by Connor Scully.

Declan Glass shot straight at Stewart on the hour mark, and Marshall caught a drive sweetly, but was denied by the keeper as we pushed for a third.

There was a scare soon after when Allan broke through, but Suman got enough on the ball to slow its progress and Mikey Doyle cleared off the line.

Blair Yule had a powerful effort in the seventy-first minute which flew just wide and we might have settled things in our next attack. Fraser Fyvie won the ball in his own half and Adam Emslie raced clear, but his strike from the edge of the box was well saved, Stewart throwing up an arm to deflect the ball over.

Queens gave themselves hope from a quickly-taken free-kick, Kai KENNEDY lashing home an unstoppable thirty yard strike, and they might have levelled five minutes from the end when the ball fell for Allan in the area and he shot from close range. Nick Suman dived to his right, pushing the effort wide. It was an outstanding save!

The big Aussie might have netted at the other end himself deep into stoppage time when, with the visiting keeper up for a corner, he launched the ball down the pitch. It bounced inches over the unguarded goal.

It had been a nervy ending to the tie, but the players saw it out, and now have a crack at Airdrieonians as they bid to return to the Championship.

Tickets for the first leg of the final at Balmoral Stadium on Wednesday, May 13^th, are now on sale and can be bought at THIS LINK

COVE RANGERS (4-2-3-1): Suman; Lobban, Gillingham, Doyle (c), Harrington; Darge, Yule; Marshall (Parker 76), Glass (Fyvie 70), Emslie; Megginson (Scully 57)

Substitutes: Robertson, Murray, McGrath, Gaffney

Goalscorers: Megginson (pen 8), Yule (47)

Booked: Yule (9), Lobban (19), Fyvie (76)

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (4-2-3-1): Stewart; Hewitt, Douglas © (Luissint 49), Hannah, MacIntyre; Lyon, Cochrane (Bryden 63); Smith, Brooks, Kennedy; Allan

Substitutes: Johnson, O’Donnell, Charters, Walker, Doherty, Thomson, Brydon

Goalscorers: Kennedy (77)

Booked: Lyon (33), Hewitt (90)

Referee: Calum Scott

Attendance: 1,065

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