Queen of the South 0-0 Morton

Mar 30 2008 Colin Paterson Reports

QUEENS boss Gordon Chisholm revealed Sean O'Connor couldn't move after the striker was rushed to hospital with a neck injury.

The 26-year-old lay motionless on the deck after an innocent second-half aerial duel with Ton defender Ryan Harding.

Doonhamers club doctor Guy Beaumont raced onto the pitch before O'Connor was stretchered off wearing a neck-brace.

A concerned Chisholm said: "Sean is in hospital with what may be a form of whiplash.

"You are worried whenever anybody goes down and they ask for a stretcher and a neck-brace. My fingers are crossed for him.

"He wasn't saying anything when he came off and he couldn't move but that might be down to shock."

Ton No.2 Derek Collins paid tribute to gaffer Davie Irons, who attended the match hours after his father Bill's funeral.

Collins said: "Davie has had a lot to deal with this week and for a time he took himself out of the dressing room.

"But it says a lot about him that he was in the dugout.

"He deserves a lot of credit for being professional at such a difficult time.

"It was a hard-fought point and one I felt was well deserved.

"There was some resolute defending out there and the lads did exceptionally well."

It was the Cappielow side who started brightly and Kevin Finlayson came close in 13 minutes when his fierce shot blazed inches past keeper Jamie MacDonald's right-hand post.

Finlayson was causing the home team problems and set up former Doonhamers favourite PeterWeatherson whose header was saved by MacDonald.

Morton were the better side and came close to breaking the deadlock when midfielder Scott McLaughlin's 30-yard free-kick struck the woodwork.

Ton's defence rarely allowed the Scottish Cup semi-finalists to trouble them as Chisholm's men were restricted to pot shots from outside the area.

Queens were then hit by O'Connor's injury blow in 73 minutes.

Jim McAlister could have won it for Morton in the closing stages but his left-foot shot was cleared by Harris.

MoM: Greacen (Morton)