Crawford (qpfc.com)

This season is possibly the worst that this writer can remember for many a long year when it comes to the standard of refereeing at our level. Seldom have the errors affected the outcome of games, which is one consolation to be thankful for at least, but if the current crop of officials are anything to go by, then it's hard to see where the UEFA referees of the future are going to come from as far as Scotland is concerned.

Putting a diabolical performance from Martin Sproule to one side for now, Queen's looked sluggish against a Montrose side who won the midfield tactical battle before going on to dominate and deservedly move into 3rd place.

Coach Billy Stark made three significant changes which resulted in Danny Ferry, Jonny Whelan and Tony Quinn moving to the bench with Shaun Molloy, Gavin Rushford and Ally Graham coming into the starting line up. Even more puzzling was the failure to utilise their experience when Queen's were struggling with half an hour still left to rectify the situation, and this is the one area of the Q.P. coach's domain which remains of concern to supporters.

Ross Clark, once more operating in a central midfield position, was first to threaten when he volleyed over after an Ally Graham shot had been charged down, but Watson retaliated with a close range shot which turned out to be an easy save for David Crawford after the sting had been taken out of it.

Smart made a great late run from midfield to get on the end of a Fraser through ball, but David Crawford did very well to stay on his feet for as long as possible before sticking out a leg at the last moment to divert the midfielder's close range shot wide of his left hand hand post.

Frankie Carroll was first to react to a long clearance from Richard Sinclair, but Butter made an agile diving save to his left to tip the ball away.

Shaun Molloy embarked on an excellent twisting solo run in the 26th minute before curling in a shot which went narrowly wide of Butter's left hand post.

Watson was looking lively for the home side, and it took another good close range stop by David Crawford to keep his goal intact.

A low Mark Ferry drive bobbled narrowly past Butter's right hand post while, at the other end, Webster did likewise. Montrose were on top at this stage, and a close range header from Stephen went narrowly wide before Watson beat Richard Sinclair only to fire straight at DC with the goal at his mercy.

Queen's should have had a penalty immediately before the interval when Donnachie stretched out an arm to stop the ball whilst lying on the ground in his own area, but as Butter came racing from his line to dive on the ball, Sproule's whistle sounded to award a foul to the home side. From time to time spectators witness decisions which leave them baffled, but this one almost defies explanation, the only possibility being that the referee blew to prevent any harm coming to Donnachie as several players rushed in to challenge for the ball. However, were that the case, then surely the correct decision would have been to make both sides contest a drop ball, as no infringement was committed by a Queen's player.

With the Spiders looking lethargic, there appeared a need to do a little tinkering at half time to combat the home side's greater energy in midfield where Paul Harvey was being given little opportunity to exert any influence.

However, the sides emerged unchanged and Montrose duly took the lead shortly after the resumption. There initially seemed little danger when Martin Wood collected the ball out at the left corner flag, but even after skipping between two defenders nobody came to close the forward down and he duly took aim before placing a low shot round Crawford and into the far corner.

Stuart Kettlewell was booked for persistent fouling three minutes later as Queen's tried to move up a gear, but they seemed to have little to offer without Paul Harvey being able to pull the strings.

The home side went two up in the 58th minute due to some slack defending, and Dodds took advantage of the delay in clearing to nick the ball off Shaun Molloy's toes before theatrically crashing to the ground. With Ross Clark having gained a penalty in identical circumstances at the start of last season, the outcome probably wasn't in doubt, but the combination of Dodds' smirking with Sproule's earlier incompetence proved too much for Gavin Rushford who was booked for dissent. Craig Smart made an excellent job of the spot kick by firing it low to DC's right.

Webster sent a first time effort wide before Paul Harvey was also shown a yellow card following a fierce tackle from behind. An even more ponderous than usual Ally Graham had another shot charged down in the 66th minute, and this was quickly followed by a long range drive from Shaun Molloy which soared well over Butter's crossbar.

The 'keeper then did well to keep out a close range effort from Frankie Carroll before referee Sproule again found himself the centre of attention with another amazing decision. As Ross Clark tried to take a quick free kick, a home player blatantly ran in front of the ball to stop him doing so. Ross did the correct thing by taking the free kick anyway so that when the ball came off the home player, there would be an automatic caution for failure to retreat the requisite 10 yards distance. At least that's what's supposed to happen in FIFA's new brave "Fair Play" world, the only problem being that Mr. Sproule seems unaware of this directive. Ross chose to remind him of it, and was booked for dissent. Quite incredible!

As the game petered out, a shot from Shaun Molloy was deflected onto the roof of the net before late substitute Bryan Felvus's long range screamer was tipped over the bar by a startled Butter.

Montrose were probably worthy of their win as they looked the more lively team, but Queen's deficiencies should not be deflected by those of Sproule, and there is much work to be done if Tuesday's journey to Elgin is not to turn out to be a fruitless one

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  3/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  David Crawford (made several good saves )

QUEEN’S PARK : David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Shaun Molloy, Gavin Rushford, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey, Stuart Kettlewell, Ross Clark, Ally Graham (Bryan Felvus - 81), Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry

Subs (not used) :  Alexander Cowie (G/K), Danny Ferry, Jonny Whelan, Tony Quinn

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Kettlewell (53 - persistent fouling), Rushford (58 - dissent), Harvey (63 - dangerous challenge), Clark (78 - dissent)

MONTROSE : Jim Butter, Barry Donnachie, Stuart Ferguson, Elliott Smith, Neil Stephen, Stephen Fraser, Kevin Webster (Graeme Sharp - 73), Craig Smart, Martin Wood, Calum Watson (Duncan McLean - 69), Kerr Dodds

Subs (not used) : Michael Hankinson (G/K), Darren Spink, Euan Hall

Scorer(s) :  Wood (50), Smart (58 - pen)

Booked : None

REFEREE : Martin Sproule *   (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)

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