Stenhousemuir vs Queen of the South ended level after Ross Stewart saved Olly Whyte’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box, leaving the play-off first leg finely balanced. Queen of the South had already threatened through Kai Kennedy, Brennan Dickenson and Benjamin Luissint before Stewart’s stop kept Stenhousemuir in it.
Ross Stewart Stops Whyte
The clearest chance came when Whyte got a right-footed effort away from the centre of the box and Stewart turned it aside. That save followed a Queen of the South spell that had already produced a free kick for Kennedy on the left wing, a Dickenson header that went too high from the centre of the box, and a Luissint shot from outside the box that missed to the left.
Queen of the South kept working openings around the edge of the area. Kennedy also had a right-footed shot from the centre of the box blocked, while Liam Smith saw a left-footed attempt from outside the box blocked and later won a free kick in the defensive half. Jack Hannah and Michael Hewitt each drew free kicks for the visitors, and Callum Penman and Liam Smith were both involved in fouls as the match stayed tight.
Stenhousemuir’s Best Opening
Stenhousemuir’s main reply came through Whyte, but the move ended at Stewart. Kinlay Bilham also won a free kick in the defensive half for Stenhousemuir, showing they were still finding ways to slow the game and keep Queen of the South from turning pressure into a lead.
For both clubs, the draw keeps the tie open after one leg. The next step belongs to the team that can turn one of the half-chances and blocked efforts into the goal that changes the balance of the play-off.
