Why Edinburgh City had to rip up their team sheet just hours before 3-3 draw with Queen's Park

Edinburgh City manager, James McDonaugh was forced to change his line-up hours before the clash with Queen's Park. (Photo by Euan Cherry / SNS Group)

The Citizens were dealt a hammer blow when skipper Craig Thomson was told to self-isolate after a work colleague had tested positive for Covid-19 with on-loan Livingston winger Rafa De Vita’s wife also giving birth on Saturday morning.

It was far from ideal preparations for McDonaugh and his backroom team who then had to rethink the personnel for the match at Hampden.

However, a Josh Campbell brace and Gabby McGill effort five minutes from time rescued a well-deserved point for the Capital side who had to come from behind twice in the second half to earn a share of the spoils.

“It’s important not to get carried away coming here and getting a point but we had a lot to deal with before even leaving for Glasgow,” McDonaugh explained. “That wasn’t my starting XI at 9am on Saturday morning so I actually had to make four changes to a side that I really didn’t want to do. It’s the times we’re living in at the minute and the joys of being a part-time manager.

“But I think the two teams have done League Two proud as both went out to win the game. I’ve got to give my players so much credit to come back twice so we definitely deserved at least a point.

“A lot of players would have crumbled but they showed great spirit.

“I think their front four are top-end Championship but and we managed to nullify their threat, particularly in the first half. We’ve now scored 12 goals in our last three games so that is really pleasing.

“It’s hard to really pick out players for their performances because I even felt the guys who came on gave us a lot.”

Alex Harris picked up a loose ball just after the quarter of an hour mark and drove towards the edge of the area before feeding on-loan midfielder Campbell, who took one touch before thundering a strike into the top corner from 20 yards.

The hosts struggled to create anything of note during the first half, Bob McHugh with a snapshot that failed to alarm goalkeeper Calum Antell.

However, the game was turned on its head four minutes after the restart when Ross MacLean’s drive took a deflection off Conrad Balatoni and into the far corner.

Three minutes later Campbell was harshly penalised for handball by referee Lloyd Wilson and McHugh duly obliged from 12 yards to give Ray McKinnon’s side the lead.

But McDonaugh's men were level four minutes later when man-of-the-moment Campbell’s deflected shot looped over Willie Muir to restore parity.

Will Baynham turned in a cross to give Queen’s the lead for the second time in the 71st minute but substitute Blair Henderson’s knock down and cool finish by McGill earned a point.

City will host Lowland League side Caledonian Braves at Ainslie Park in the Scottish Cup first round on Boxing Day.

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