Queen of the South 2-0 Dundee

Mar 9 2008 Euan Mclean At Palmerston

Ryan Takes Pelters After Wonder Goal

RYAN McCANN was left pie-eyed after firing an 80-yard wonder Cup clincher as Queens produced route-one football at its most devastating.

The scorer was pelted with pastries by disgruntled Dundee fans as the Doonhamers clinched their first Cup semi since 1950.

The travelling fans were furious when McCann celebrated his miracle goal right at the death.

Dundee keeper Craig Samson had run upfield in the hunt for a late equaliser but was left in no man's land as McCann latched on to the ball.

It will go down in Scottish Cup folklore as one of the greatest goals as the full back took a touch, looked up and launched the long-range rocket to seal Queens' place in the semis.

Now a massive date with either Celtic or Aberdeen beckons at Hampden and Dumfries is sure to empty as excited fans gear up for the club's first semi in 58 years.

History has been made and who knows if there is another thrilling chapter still to come from Gordon Chisholm's battling side.

But McCann admits he wasn't able to watch his magic moment replayed on TV last night because he had tickets to a comedy show in Glasgow.

He said: "I was fortunate the ball went in really because nine times out of 10 they end up in the stand, sliced or shanked.

"We were under pressure in the last 15 minutes and when the ball came out to me I looked for John Stewart making a run.

"I didn't realise Samson was up for the corner - and I just hit it thinking 'if it goes in, it goes in'.

"When I saw the fans going bonkers I knew the ball was in the net.

"But mine was probably the most low key celebration ever because I was right in front of the Dundee fans.

"I got hit with so many pies I think the referee thought it was time to blow the whistle!"

Such a thrilling climax to a game widely billed as tie of the round was all the sweeter after the dreadful first-half action on show.

The players appeared to struggle to keep their feet on the damp Palmerston pitch.

Aside from a swift turn by Stephen Dobbie to get round defender Paul Dixon and send a low drive raking across goal there were frustratingly few clear-cut chances.

Thankfully there were some light moments provided off the pitch to keep the packed Palmerston crowd amused.

Like Dens boss Alex Rae rising majestically in the Dundee dug-out to meet a stray long ball with a crisp header.

Or the lunatic Dundee fan who chose the moment when the weather battering Dumfries was at its absolute worst to strip to his waist and run on to the pitch - only to be taken out by Queens man Jamie McQuilken.

Fortunately the second half offered far more and the tie turned in three turbulent minutes.

Doonhamers had a huge let-off as Jamie MacDonald spilled a Dixon cross at the feet of Jan Zemlik - but got lucky as the hitman's point-blank shot crashed off the keeper's chest.

The big striker held his head in his hands in disbelief at a golden missed chance and must have felt even worse within three minutes as Queen of the South grabbed the lead.

It was ultimate route one stuff as MacDonald launched the ball up the park - but credit to striker Dobbie.

His lovely cushioned first touch sent him storming clear of David Cowan before he swished a pinpoint finish with the outside of his foot past Samson.

Suddenly Queens looked unstoppable as the jubilant crowd drove them forward in waves.

Paul Burns wasn't far off with a powerful half-volley before Dobbie hit the side netting when he worked himself some space in the area again.

Dundee boss Rae - who was so strapped for players because of injury and suspension that he listed himself as a sub - hooked fall guy Zemlik for Jani Sturm on 56 minutes.

But as Dundee became desperate to get forward the more Queens looked to catch them on the break and pacey John Stewart was introduced in place of Dobbie in 78 minutes. It was a shrewd ploy by Chisholm and should have paid off within seconds as a quick switch of feet took the sub past David Worrell and surging clear on the keeper.

Then late on, with Queens defending for their lives, a cleared set piece fell to McCann deep in his own half - and the rest, along with Dundee's cup run, is history.

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY kept control of this battling full-blooded cup tie. Alex Rae was annoyed by a couple of calls but on the whole the whistler was fair and consistent. Rating: 7/10.