A DESPERATE performance at Palmerston on Saturday saw the relegation trap door open wide awaiting Morton’s inevitable arrival.

A culmination of goalkeeping errors, naive defending and misplaced passes led to another disappointing afternoon for the small band of travelling fans who made the long trip to Dumfries.

Morton boss Kenny Shiels made four changes from the side beaten in midweek with Craig Knight, Darren Cole and Tony Wallace out and Rowan Vine suspended after his red card. In came Jamie McCormack, David Robertson, Archie Campbell and returning skipper Dougie Imrie.

Shiels admitted that a culmination of injuries and suspensions had left him with the “bare bones” to select from.

Queen’s, unbeaten against Ton in their last eight clashes, made a terrific start when they took the lead after just eight minutes.

Chris Mitchell whipped over an in-swinging corner from the left for defender Chris Higgins to get in front of the static defence and head flick the ball high into the net at the near post.

Morton’s first chance came after 14 minutes when Campbell drilled a low 18-yard effort on target, but Queen’s ‘keeper Zander Clark did well to hold the ball at the first attempt.

Queen’s swept to the other end and almost doubled their lead 60 seconds later when Ian McShane cracked in a low 20-yard drive which Morton goalkeeper Derek Gaston did well to clutch at full stretch to his right.

Morton, without a win in their previous eight league games and only three all season, almost levelled in 23 minutes when Fouad Bachirou’s corner from the left was headed downward by the outstanding Thomas O’Ware, but McShane cleared off the line after ‘keeper Clark was beaten.

O’Ware claimed the ball had crossed the line, but referee Iain Brines didn’t agree.

Queen’s passed up a great chance when Gavin Reilly, who was unmarked in front of goal in 36 minutes, hesitated and allowed O’Ware time to make a terrific goal-saving tackle.

The ball broke out to Higgins, who tried his luck from 20-yards, but Gaston did superbly to scramble the ball around his right hand post.

Morton were force into a switch two minutes before the break when youngster Jack Smith came on for the injured Garry O’Connor.

The slick Dumfries side threatened again in 48 minutes when Paul Burns fired over a deep cross from the right for Reilly, but the striker’s flashing header was tipped over by Gaston.

Queen’s, who have only lost one in their last nine home league games, finally went two up one minute later when Michael Paton found Derek Lyle in space.

With the Morton defence not tight enough, the striker had time to turn and tap the ball into an empty net from six yards out.

It could have been even worse for the Cappielow troops in 59 minutes when Mitchell’s swerving corner from the right almost landed in the net, but Gaston reacted in the nick of time to punch the ball clear.

Ton battled to the very end and in 68 minutes Smith laid the ball back into the path of Marc Fitzpatrick, but his curling 18-yard shot was beaten away by Clark.

Queen’s continued to post a threat particularly through Mitchell’s excellent deliveries into the box.

In 70 minutes the defender picked out substitute Bob McHugh, but the on-loan Motherwell striker failed to direct his powerful header on target and the ball sailed over.

Morton’s chances were few and far between, but in 74 minutes a Bachirou corner found O’Ware lurking at the back post only for the defender to send his header straight at Clark.

Queen’s wrapped up the points in 80 minutes when substitute Iain Russell set up Reilly to hit the net from eight yards.

The Doonhamers might have got a fourth one minute from the end when McHugh let rip with a fantastic right foot angled volley from 12-yards, but Gaston pulled off a terrific save to turn the ball over.

Seconds later Gaston was in action again, this time diving to save at the feet of Mark Kerr after a desperate goalmouth scramble.

The loss means that anything other than victory against Dumbarton tomorrow night means that Morton will be officially relegated.