Queens were comfortable winners over the Diamonds in their Irn-Bru Cup tie at Palmerston.

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Cammy Russell and Murray Loudon led the visiting attack following Andy Ryan’s departure to Dunfermline.

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The Diamonds could have opened the scoring in three minutes when Loudon collected the ball beyond Jason Kerr and sent a ball into the middle which Russell could only send wide of the goal.

 

Eight minutes later Kieran MacDonald made headway down the left and his powerful cross was beyond Russell.

 

Stephen Dobbie found the net from inside the box in 13 minutes but was well offside.

 

Rohan Ferguson was then alert to make a fine save from Chris Kane after he race clear of the Airdrie back line.

 

The home side took the lead a minute later after Derek Lyle hammered the ball into the net from 10 yards after receiving it from the left.

 

Dobbie went close to adding a second goal on 20 minutes from an angled shot inside the box.

 

Queens went two up after 25 minutes when Kerr headed home from Jordan Marshall’s corner.

 

Scott Thomson replaced Loudon who had shown early promise but appeared to have gone over on his ankle.

 

Ryan Conroy's attempt to catch out keeper Jack Leighfield was off target as the first half moved into the last quarter of an hour.

 

Danny Carmichael’s corner almost on the stroke of half time was headed into the net by Adam Brownlie to make it 3-0, while Conroy’s 25-yard free kick in stoppage time was taken comfortably by Leighfield.

 

Two minutes into the second half an Adam Brown run from deep was followed with a low effort which Leighfield gathered comfortably.

 

Brown fired in a better effort nine minutes later but Leighfield once more was equal to the shot.

 

Dobbie tried to add another in 62 minutes but his 25-yard free kick was well taken by Ferguson.

 

With 20 minutes remaining Connor Murray found space in the box but sent a low shot past Ferguson’s left post.

 

Eight minutes later Dobbie raced clear into the box, had one look at goal then fired the ball well wide.

 

On the 83rd minute a good run by substitute Scott Thomson saw him create a chance for Russell who was unable to make good contact and send the ball for goal.

 

Queens once again scored from a high ball into the box two minutes from time. A corner on the right from Carmichael was met by substitute Shaun Rooney to net the fourth goal and send the Doonhamers comfortably into the second round.

 

Referee: Mr Barry Cook

Attendance: 1,012