Queen's lined up with what was in parts, a second XI. Five players who started in the 2-1 win over Elgin at the weekend didn't make the starting line up. Mark Cairns, Jonny Whelan, Paul Paton, Paul Ronald and Richard Bowers replacing David Crawford, Richard Sinclair, Stephen Reilly, David Weatherston and Frankie Carroll as Queen's lined up 4-3-1-2.
The game started particuarly slowly on the shocking Firs Park surface as neither side found any rythm, but Queen's eventually took the lead after 24 minutes. Paul Paton swung in a corner which was headed home at the near post by veteran striker Paul Ronald, who was making his first Queen's start.
A minute later it was 2-0 to Spiders after Stuart Kettlewell cut the ball back to the byeline on the right and forward Ronald's cross was touched home at the back post by Shire defender Scott Livingstone. Mark Ferry should have made it three moments later when he headed over the bar from six yards after a corner by Stephen Canning.
The lead was extended even more after 37 minutes. Good football ended up with Richard Bowers in possesion 30 yards out and his low trundling drive, which looked extremely tame, went under Shire keeper Nugent who completely misjudged the shot. 3-0 Queen's, and the game was now well and truly over as a contest.
HALF TIME: East Stirlingshire 0 - 3 Queen's Park
Queen's made one change for the beginning of the second half Stephen Canning, carrying a slight knock, was replaced by newboy Robert Dunn up front.
Spiders carried on where they left off with a goal destined for Goal Of The Season glory at the end of the campaign. Young defender Paul Paton picked the ball up ten yards from his own goal and he went on a lungbusting run up the right wing. He beat four defenders before rounding Nugent to score one of the best goals I have ever seen from the Queen's. Maradona-esque from newly christened Diego Paton.
Queen's Park ended the scoring three minutes later when some good football by Paul Ronald and Robert Dunn set up Shaun Molloy 25 yards out far on the left hand side, he then duly dispatched the ball straight into Nugent's right postage stamp corner with a stunning curling effort.
Queen's should have made it six near the end when Richard Bowers chipped the ball over Nugent and the ball smacked the underside of the bar, Paul Ronald headed the rebound towards goal but it was cleared off the line by defender Oates.
Draw for the next round is on Thursday, but next up it is back to the league, against Dumbarton at Hampden on Saturday.
QUEEN'S PARK: Mark Cairns, Paul Paton, Shaun Molloy, Jonny Whelan, Damiano Agostini, Stephen Canning (Robert Dunn), Stuart Kettlewell (David Weatherston), Tony Quinn (Alan Trouten), Paul Ronald, Richard Bowers, Mark Ferry
SUBS NOT USED: Mick Dunlop, David Crawford (gk)
GOALSCORERS: Paul Ronald (24), Scott Livingstone (og 25), Richard Bowers (37), Paul Paton (51), Shaun Molloy (54)
ATTENDANCE: 391
REFEREE: Alan Boyd
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jonny Whelan, There is life in the old-dog yet as he put in a stunning shift in defence which gave East Stirling no chance of breaking through the Spiders rearguard.