QoS 2-2 Hamilton

Mar 2 2008 Colin Paterson At Palmerston

SUPERSUB James McCarthy grabbed a controversial last-gasp equaliser as title-chasing Hamilton broke out of jail in dramatic fashion.

The highly rated teenager fired home from close range in the dying seconds - but Queens were livid, claiming Stevie Tosh had been pushed in the build-up to the goal.

And fiery midfielder Tosh took his protests too far and was red-carded by referee Chris Boyle.

Queens boss Gordon Chisholm was forced into two changes following last week's goalless draw at Partick Thistle.

Skipper Jim Thomson was suspended after his controversial red card at Firhill, so on-loan Celtic youngster Craig Reid came in for his debut with John O'Neill replacing the injured Bob Harris.

Accies also made a double switch with Chris Swailes and former Gretna striker James Grady starting in place of the banned Alex Neill and Mark Gilhaney.

The home side were confident of causing an upset after putting together an eight-game unbeaten run and having dumped the league leaders 2-1 at Palmerston in November.

But they almost fell behind in bizarre fashion early on when a low Brian Easton cross was turned inches over his own bar by new boy Reid.

Queens hit back immediately and in 12 minutes Accies keeper Tomas Cerny did well to push Paul Burns' long-range effort to safety.

Grady's Gretna connections ensured he wasn't a popular figure among the Doonhamers' support - and he made himself public enemy number one by firing home a 22nd-minute opener.

Top scorer Richard Offiong's drive cannoned off Ryan McCann and Grady squeezed in the rebound from 12 yards past keeper Jamie MacDonald.

But if Accies thought they were well on their way to three crucial points they were given a rude awakening as Queens scored twice in as many minutes.

A fierce Jamie McQuilken free-kick was parried out by Cerny and the ball bounced off Stephen Dobbie and rolled into the net via the inside of the post.

And the ex-Rangers and Hibs hitman was in the right place again to make it 2-1 when he turned home a Burns flick-on from another quality McQuilken set piece.

Accies needed to fire on all cylinders after the restart and veteran defender Swailes wasn't far away with a 25-yard free kick.

David Graham burst into action in 54 minutes and his cross was nodded just wide of the target by Offiong as the visitors mounted several raids forward.

The home side survived a double scare as the Lanarkshire men pressed for an equaliser.

Aitken cleared a high ball off the line and from the corner MacDonald brilliantly denied Mensing.

At the other end Tosh could have sealed it but his volley was cleared away by McArthur before McCarthy's late strike saved Accies and left Queens fuming.

MoM: Aitken (QoS)