St Mirren 1-0 Queen of the South: Gogic header takes Buddies into Scottish Cup last 16
- Published
Alex Gogic's bullet header put St Mirren into the hat for the last 16 of the Scottish Cup
Alex Gogic's goal proved decisive as St Mirren overcame stubborn League 1 side Queen of the South to reach the Scottish Cup fifth round.
The home side dominated possession but struggled to break down their dogged opponents, who knocked out Dundee United to reach this stage.
Greg Kiltie had a goal ruled out before Gogic's headed goal broke the deadlock.
Stephen Robinson's side passed up further opportunities and Queens were unable to find a way back into the match.
St Mirren almost took the lead when Jonah Ayunga's goal-bound effort was parried by Harry Stone, while Kiltie was on hand to tap into the empty net but the flag was up for offside.
The midfielder then tried his luck with a well-struck half-volley from just outside the box which whistled past.
The hosts were dominating the ball but not carrying enough threat in the final third and they almost paid the price when Lewis Gibson swung in a cross that found Lee Connelly bang in front of goal.
The delivery was begging to be met first time but the striker tried instead to bring it down, his touch was heavy and the chance was gone.
The League 1 side were starting to settle into the game and captain Paul McKay fired in an effort from 25 yards which flew just over the bar.
St Mirren looked like they were about to make the breakthrough early in the second half when Elvis Bwomono sent a fierce volley towards goal, but Efe Ambrose made a tremendous block.
Scott Tanser had Stone beaten in the away goal with a sweet strike from the edge of the box that came crashing back off the crossbar.
The home side finally made the breakthrough when Gogic met a corner with a bullet header into the top corner 19 minutes from time.
Stone was forced into a good save to deny Kiltie adding a second and James Bolton missed with a close-range header late on, but it mattered little as the Premiership side saw it out to book their place Sunday's last-16 draw.
What the managers said
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "Credit to Queen of the South, credit to [manager] Marvin [Bartley]. We knew it would be tough.
"The longer the game goes on, it gets a bit nervy, but the players kept passing the ball and getting into good areas.
"We deserved to win, it was efficient and we're in the next round. We should have won the game by more. We've had a good season up to now and a good cup run would add to that."
Queen of the South manager Marvin Bartley: "The performance was good, the effort from the players was fantastic.
"We knew if we were at our best and St Mirren were at their best then they were going to win the game of football, but I felt we went toe-to-toe with them.
"The disappointing thing is to concede off a set-play, but in terms of effort and trying to execute our game plan to the best of our ability I'm extremely delighted with the players."