Queen of the South boss hails Scottish Cup heroes after Dundee United victory

Marvin Bartley hailed his Scottish Cup heroes as they kicked out Championship leaders Dundee United at Palmerston.

The manager criticised some of his players last week after losing to part-time Kelty Hearts and he got the reaction he was looking for. His squad went toe to toe with the best side in the league above and overcame the odds to secure a great win in a penalty shootout.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted, I’m proud of my players. To a man they were fantastic.

“The squad has been decimated by injuries but the players put in a brilliant shift for 120 minutes. My boys put their bodies on the line for the cause. Football’s a wonderful game when played right and they gave us everything and covered every inch of the astroturf.”

The dramatic win seemed a long way off when Dundee United scored after six minutes. But the South got back into the game through Gavin Reilly before they came from behind again to level through Lee Connelly as the game finished 2-2.

Harry Stone made a string of top saves to deny the visitors before some heroics in the shootout.

Bartley was more focussed on the collective effort after the game but did single out his keeper for praise.

He added: “Harry pulled off some magnificent saves, then stopped a penalty in the shootout. He’s had to be patient for his chance in the team and now he’s reaping the rewards for that.”

“Everyone was brilliant. It’s about reactions.

“For 44 minutes last week they were absolutely fantastic. I know what they have within them and it’s frustrating.

“There’s not many League One teams that survive with seven players out injured. You look at them in the stand and the quality of those players and still we’ve gone toe to toe with a team at the top of the Championship.”