Queen of the South lift Bells Cup

Derek Lyle and John O'Neil toast their victory

Brechin City 0-2 Queen of the South
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Queen of the South emerged victorious in the Bells Challenge Cup final with a 2-0 win over Brechin City.

A first-half strike by John O'Neil put the First Division side in charge.

Then Derek Lyle added a second to make sure of victory.

Connolly hails victory

Queen of the South pushed forward early on but they struggled to create many clear-cut chances and it was Brechin who enjoyed the first chance of the game.

Chris Jackson's pass was met by Graham Gibson and he unleashed a long, low shot, but it was easily held by goalkeeper Andy Goram.

Derek Lyle went on a great run after 22 minutes before releasing Peter Weatherson, but he was denied by goalkeeper David Hay before he could pull the trigger.

The young striker had another chance to open the scoring 10 minutes later when he met Steve Bowey's pass before bulleting a shot at goal but Hay pulled off a great block to keep the scoreline level.

But Queen of the South took the lead in controversial circumstances after 33 minutes.

John O'Neil puts Queen of the South ahead

Bowey's initial shot was blocked and John O'Neil followed up with the rebound.

Brechin defender Greig McCulloch claimed he had hooked the ball clear but referee John Underhill ruled the ball had crossed the line and awarded the goal.

Weatherson could have added to the lead shortly before the break when he met Robbie Neilson's cross but his point-blank header was held by the Brechin goalkeeper.

Queen of the South started the second half with all guns blazing and they were rewarded with their second goal just two minutes after the restart.

Andy Aitken played a long ball out to the left wing to Joe McAlpine, who spotted the unmarked Lyle on the six-yard line and he bulleted a header past Hay.

Queen of the South could have added to their tally a few minutes later but McAlpine's long-range effort scraped over the crossbar.

Andy Goram is delighted with another medal

Brechin could have pulled a goal back after 58 minutes.

Charlie King tried his luck with a drive from 20 yards and he packed enough power behind the strike to force Goram into his first real save of the day.

With just three minutes remaining, the Queen of the South fans almost had another goal to cheer when McAlpine's corner kick was met by Sean O'Connor, who nodded just past the upright.

But, by that point, the game was well won.

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Brechin: Hay, McCulloch, Black, Jamie Smith, Cairney, Fotheringham, Charlie King, Riley (Millar 62), Grant, Jackson, Gibson (Templeman 50).

Subs not used: Clark, Donnachie, Cairns.

Booked: Jackson, Grant.

Queen of the South: Goram, Neilson, Anderson, McColligan, Aitken, Thomson, O'Neill, Bowey, Weatherson (O'Connor 75), Lyle (McLaughlin 84), McAlpine.

Subs not used: Atkinson, Paton, Scott.

Att: 6,428

Ref: J Underhill