History repeated itself as Aberdeen were forced to settle for a draw against a spirited Queens side that thoroughly deserved a share of the spoils.

The last time the two teams met in the competition was 50 years ago when the scoreline was 3-3 at Palmerston, with the Dumfries men winning the replay 2-1 at Pittodrie.

Andy Goram was in fine form for Queens

With veteran keeper Andy Goram fit after a bout of flu and taking his place for his 750th competitive club match, Queens started with a burst of enthusiasm.

The home side could have taken the lead in the opening minute when Brian McLaughlin shot high over from just 10 yards.

The Dons had a chance to break the deadlock on the 10-minute mark when a cross from Kevin Rutkiewicz provided Laurent D'Jaffo with a clear header on goal, but he put the ball over the bar.

Then Kevin McNaughton shot over the bar with the Queens defence at sixes and sevens.

Eric Paton gave Dons keeper David Preece a fright with a 20-yard shot which just went outside the post.

The first real save of the match came after 26 minutes when Goram had to smother a short from Chris Clark.

Aberdeen made a good break on the resumption but D'Jaffo headed a dangerous cross straight into the arms of Goram.

The Dons played with more determination as they homed in on Queens' goal and Clark pulled out a save from Goram.

Queens manager John Connolly tried to put more punch into his attack to relieve the pressure and brought on striker Sean O'Connor for McColligan, and it made an immediate difference as a mazy run by O'Connor created a moment of panic in the Dons rearguard.

O'Connor then had a chance when O'Neill caught the Dons off-guard with a pass out to the right and O'Connor raced through but Preece was able to gather.

Then Peter Weatherson had the home fans on their feet with a 30-yard drive that saw Preece fly across his goal to turn round the post.

The Dons came close to taking the lead when Steve Tosh rifled in a shot from 25 yards which just zipped past the post.

Again the Dons were unlucky when Clark tricked his marker to send in an inswinging cross - beating all the Dumfries defenders - to reach substitute Leon Mike and his header left Goram well beaten but missed the target.

Queen of South: Goram, Renicks, Aitken, Thomson, Anderson, McColligan (O'Connor 62), O'Neill, Bowey, Paton, Weatherson, McLaughlin.
Subs Not Used: McAlpine, Lyle, Gray, Scott.

. Aberdeen: Preece, Anderson, McGuire, Rutkiewicz, McNaughton (Sheerin 41), Tosh, Derek Young, Clark, McAllister (O'Donoghue 82), Mackie, D'Jaffo (Mike 73).
Subs Not Used: Kjaer, Michie.

Attendance: 5,716
Referee: E Martindale