A GATHERING at Hampden these days is generally a tense affair.
There's the anticipation of gallant failure, the fear of a drubbing, a collective apprehension among those within the famous ground of the 90 minutes of torture which will almost inevitably follow.
And while the 342 spread out over the vast expanse of the national stadium were hardly welded to their plastic seats in amazement at what was served up in front of them on Saturday, Queen's Park's 3-3 draw finally offered sweet release from a dismal monotony.
As well as bringing with it the home side's only point this season - their first at home since April - the fact the exhibition of resolve from Gardner Speirs' team has at last been rewarded appears to have triggered a change in outlook for his young team.
"In the dressing room after the game it was a different group of boys I saw; the whole place is lifted," said Queen's captain Tony Quinn, who scored his side's first two goals to keep them within sight of Elgin at the break at 3-2.
"That's a point on the board, it's just the one but we'll take it. We have a young team and despite the great ability within it, there are some who just don't believe in themselves. I just try and push them on all the time and encourage them, they really don't know just how good they are."
The lack of confidence in their own ability was perhaps justified if their first half showing on Saturday is anything to go by. Despite the need of those in the stand to blame referee Andrew Dallas for their team's misfortune, many in a black and white shirt were culpable as Dennis Wyness, Craig Gunn and Paul Harkins punished them ruthlessly. Only a mixture of determination and negligent play from Ross Jack's men allowing Queen's to finally get off the mark. It was the latter point, however, that would prove most damaging to Jack's aspirations of leaving Hampden with their first away win of the season.
That landmark was in sight for the Moray club's manager with 12 minutes left to play, only for defender Jamie Duff to fresh air a pass back, allowing substitute Joao Victoria to pounce and slot low into the net.
"In the first half we should have had the game out of sight," said Jack, whose team remain five points above bottom-placed Queen's in ninth place. "We just can't hold a lead, teams are not having to work hard to break us down. The third goal was just a gift."
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