Queen’s Park 1 Airdrie 0 – Ruth Returns With Goal

MICHAEL RUTH returned to the starting line-up for the first time in almost seven months – and repaid Sean Crighton’s recall with a vital goal for Queen’s Park.

The striker last started at The city Stadium against Arbroath in August, but after several sub appearances on his return from a hip problem he knocked in the game-winner after half an hour and moved the Spiders sixth in the table.

Ruth’s goal – meeting a Henry Fieldson cutback at the front-post was allied by a solid defensive showing by Euan Murray and Co at the back, with Cal Ferrie rarely called upon – but when he was, he denied the Diamonds with a brilliant save in either half.

The home no.1 denied former team-mate Euan Henderson’s  low hard strike from just inside the box, and Ferrie got down early to stop it.

Queen’s had defended well in the opening 10 minutes and kept their shape as Airdrie edged possession in the lunchtime sun, the match brought forward after a Scotland Women’s World Cup qualifier was moved to Barclays Hampden next-door, forcing a timing change.

But bang on the half hour mark, returning striker Ruth put his side ahead. 

The lead created more momentum for Queen’s, and Sean Crighton’s side began to dominate the game as halftime approached. 

After the break though Airdrie delivered a scare with Henderson rattling the crossbar a minute into the second half.

It was a warning the Diamonds were not down, only a goal behind but Queen’s saw out an important win at the bottom half of the William Hill Championship.

They had captain Murray to thank for that midway through the second half with a brilliant tackle inside the box to stave off another Airdrie threat. 

Sub Chris Mochrie had a shot saved comfortably by Ferrie and Queen’s were quick to counter on it but Seb Drozd was stopped on the break.

Sean Crighton pitched Ricki Lamie in and swapped to a three-man central defence beside Murray and Matty Shiels and the switch as enough to quell the visitors’ threat and seal an important win, and move up the table for Queen’s Park.