A SECOND-half double strike earned Queens a quarter-final place they richly deserved after an enterprising display, full of flair, determination and no shortage of skill.
The statistics had all pointed to a Queens win, unbeaten in their last six
trips to Cappielow in league and cup competitions in the past ten years, impressive by any standards.
As it was to prove there are lies, damned lies and statistics, and in this case the statistics didn't lie. In fact they were to make worse reading for the Greenock club, who suffered another defeat to their Dumfries counterparts.
Add to that the fact that Gordon Chisholm's side arrived in Greenock not having even conceded a goal in their last three visits. By the end of this bruising encounter that number was increased to four.
That record could have been dented after just eight minutes had referee Charlie Richmond adjudged Queens' Andy Aitken had handled the ball in the area after the ball had spun up off Peter Weatherson.
The signs were good from an early stage that both sides were well up for it and the significant financial implications that would follow a victory and a lucrative place in the quarter-finals.
Morton had a fortunate escape in 13 minutes when goalkeeper David McGurn dived full length to his right to stop Stevie Tosh's initial shot. The ball was trickling towards the goal line, but Kevin Finlayson reacted first to clear, before Stephen Dobbie could net.
Jim McInally has built up an imposing Scottish Cup record in management with Morton, having lost just eight times in 25 matches, and Weatherson almost put him on the road to another in 25 minutes, but for a stunning save by Queens' goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.
Weatherson began the move in midfield, slipped the ball to his right to Chris Millar, who whipped in a low ball which the striker, following up, got a diving header in, but McDonald somehow got a fingertip to the ball to turn it over the bar.
Queens had a glorious chance to edge in front one minute from the interval when Tosh was unmarked 12 yards out after Sean O'Connor had set him up, but he hooked the ball wide.
There was no reprieve for Morton when 58 seconds into the second half Bob Harris swung over a corner from the right to the back post for O'Connor to head past McGurn. It was a merited lead for the Dumfries side.
Sadly for O'Connor, he was not to be on the park to enjoy the celebrations when he had to leave in 68 minutes after suffering a nasty facial knock.
Morton responded in typical fashion and Weatherson pounced 25 yards out to lash a low shot on target after a perfect knock down by debut boy Brian Wake, but MacDonald got down to hold the ball at the second attempt.
In 70 minutes Scott McLaughlin fired a 30-yard free-kick on target, but too close to MacDonald, and two minutes later the Queens keeper made a terrific double save at Jim McAlister's feet as Morton piled on the pressure.
MacDonald was having an inspired afternoon and 13 minutes from time saved again low down after a downward header by Wake looked netbound.
Queens had the chance to seal the tie in 82 minutes, but substitute John Stewart, who had only come on seven minutes earlier for the ineffective Dobbie, pulled an 18-yard shot wide, under pressure from defender Stewart Greacen.
Stewart was, however, to make up for his indiscretion three minutes from time when he netted from 12 yards after McGurn had pushed out Ryan McCann's angled drive. It ensured a place in the last eight for Gordon Chisholm's side.
It is unlikely that even the SPL big boys will relish a trip to Palmerston when the draw is made on Sunday afternoon, with the First Division side sure to provide the proverbial banana skin for whoever they are paired with.
Morton: McGurn, Smith (Russell 66), McLaughlin, Harding, Greacen, Millar, Finlayson, McGuffie, Weatherson, Wake, McAlister.
Queen of the South: MacDonald, McCann, Harris, MacFarlane, Aitken, Thomson, McQuilken, Tosh, O'Connor (O'Neill 68), Dobbie, Burns.
Referee: C Richmond.
The full article contains 722 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
