QUEEN’S PARK ended a recent run of defeats with a hard-fought draw in Hamilton.

Taking a point lifts the Spiders six points clear of ninth-placed Airdrieonians in the table, as things stand, after Accies were deducted 15 points by an Independent Tribunal earlier in the week.

The punishment, and home side’s subsequent drop to the 10th, was felt around New Douglas Park – but Steven MacLean’s side left the ground with a valuable point and clean sheet – the first in the league since March 1.

They did so with a changed starting line-up which included B-team league winner Timam Scott’s first start for the Spiders and Seb Drozd leading the attack.

Although the fresh forward line didn’t find the net, the away fans still had cause to celebrate – a huge cheer marked Grant Savoury’s long-awaited return from injury.

The playmaker has spent almost two years on the sidelines but made a late appearance from the bench to see the Spiders over the line for what could be an important point.

Last week’s improved display against Dunfermline was developed further in Lanarkshire and Queen’s Park were the better side in the first half, although clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. The speed of Drozd, Scott and Aidan McGinlay in attack gave Hamilton’s centre-backs a busy 45-minute shift, and Scott had two chances to mark his first start with a goal.

Dean Lyness denied both in a particularly positive opening 20 minutes for the visitors.

Accies tried to take the sting out of the game and slow the pace against the Spiders’ fast front-line and had the ball in the net after half an hour – but ref Don Robertson ruled it out for a Nikolay Todorov foul on Calum Ferrie.

Adam Montgomery was then involved at both ends of the pitch – stepping out of defence and performing a brilliant roulette and run to switch defence into attack, but Queen’s Park couldn’t test Lyness.

Then a miscue from the left-back almost let Todorov in for a snapshot – but Ferrie parried the drive out for another corner in what could be a vital stop in the story of this season.

By the break Airdrie were a goal behind Morton – a result that had impact for both sides at New Douglas Park – especially if they could find a goal.

Queen’s Park looked the most likely when the players re-emerged from the interval with added drive and tested Lyness early on.

McGinlay sent a chance form the edge of the box over the bar and within a minute, the ball simply wouldn’t fall for Scott as Drozd released Duncan to the by-line. The on-loan Aberdeen wide man cutback for a close-range effort and though Scott made contact, he was bundled over from behind. The ball stayed out but ref Don Robertson disagreed with the Spiders’ support yelling for a spot-kick from their vantage point behind the goal, and saw no infringement.

Scott was just as close on 67 minutes when released down the right by Adam Devine and after cutting into the box his strike was pushed onto the post by Lyness.

Steven MacLean’s young side had given a good account of themselves and more experienced stars came off the bench to add to the endeavours and finally bring a run of defeats to an end.

Zak Rudden, Jack Turner and Louis Longridge helped see out the performance for a point, and Rocco Hickey-Fuggaccia replaced Timam Scott on the right side, too. However the biggest cheer of the day in the north stand was reserved for fellow sub Grant Savoury.

He replaced Roddy McGregor for the final five minutes and injury-time, after 711 days out injured.

The playmaker was all smiles by full-time – as plenty in Queen’s Park colours were – but the Spiders had to see out a spell of home pressure in injury time before recording their first point and clean sheet in 50 days.

The point moves Queen’s Park six points clear of Airdrie with two games left of the regular season with Accies 13 points behind in 10th, subject to their 15-point deduction.

Hamilton: Lyness, McGinty, McGowan,
Bradley (O’Hara 85), Maguire, MacDonald, Robinson (Barjonas 73), Shaw, Todorov (McKinstry
73), Tumilty (Hendrie 65), Telfer (Henderson 85).
Unused subs: Albinson, J.Longridge, Kilday,
Lamie.

Booked: Todorov

QPFC: Ferrie, Devine, Tizzard,
Jackson, Montgomery, Welsh, MacGregor (Savoury 85), Scott (Rocco 75), McGinlay
(Turner 61), Duncan (Longridge 75), Drozd (Rudden 61).
Unusued subs: Sliwinski, Hurst, Evans,
McLean.

Booked: Drozd, Scott

Attendance: 1102

Starting Eleven