GLASGOW (Interstat) — Aidan Connolly scored twice, and Queen’s Park overcame an early deficit to beat Inverness 2-1 in a Championship match at Hampden Park. Connolly struck in the 18th and 41st minutes after Graeme Shinnie had given Inverness the lead in the seventh. Queen’s Park improved to 1-3 in the competition and overall. Inverness moved to 3-3-4 in the competition and overall.

Inverness started brightly and needed only seven minutes to break through. Shinnie finished the opening goal, giving the visitors an early advantage. Queen’s Park responded through Connolly, who equalized in the 18th and then put the home side ahead four minutes before halftime. The goals were the decisive moments in a match that Queen’s Park controlled after the interval without adding to its lead. Connolly was Queen’s Park’s top performer, with his two goals separating the teams. Shinnie’s goal was Inverness’s only score. Queen’s Park’s defense then held firm through the second half, limiting Inverness’s chances after the visitors made a series of changes.

Queen’s Park received assists from Lewis Stewart and Michael Ruth. Stewart was credited with an assist before being substituted in the 68th minute. Ruth also supplied an assist and was shown a yellow card in the 49th minute before being withdrawn in the 68th. Ruth’s booking came early in the second half as the match grew more physical. Inverness’s Stewart L. was cautioned in the 58th minute. The yellow cards were the only bookings of the match, and neither side was reduced to 10 players.

Queen’s Park made one change at halftime, then made a triple substitution in the 68th minute, removing Ruth, Stewart and Longridge. Inverness made three changes in the 57th minute, sending on Duncan, MacGregor and Longstaff. Inverness made another change in the 74th minute and a final substitution in the 83rd. The substitutions did not change the scoreline. Queen’s Park managed the closing stages after taking the lead into halftime. Inverness pressed for a second goal but could not find an equalizer. The visitors’ best late efforts were kept out as Queen’s Park saw out the win.

The result continued contrasting recent form. Inverness entered after a 2-0 home win over Stenhousemuir and a 2-0 home win over Greenock, with a 2-2 draw at Livingston and a 3-1 win at Ayr United also in its recent run. Inverness had also lost 2-0 at Raith and 3-1 at Stenhousemuir, drawn 1-1 with Partick and played 0-0 draws with Arbroath and Dunfermline. Queen’s Park had lost 2-0 at Raith, 2-1 at Arbroath and 2-0 at home to Stenhousemuir before this match. That made the victory Queen’s Park’s first in the competition this season. The result also gave Queen’s Park its first win across all competitions.

Queen’s Park’s victory gave the club its first win in the competition and overall. Inverness remained level in the competition and across all competitions, with a record of 3-3-4. Queen’s Park’s record stood at 1-3 in both the competition and all competitions. Inverness’s recent schedule has included a mix of wins, losses and draws, while Queen’s Park has struggled for consistency. The match at Hampden Park was decided by Connolly’s two finishes and Queen’s Park’s ability to protect the lead after halftime. Inverness’s early goal from Shinnie was not enough to earn a result.

Inverness’s upcoming schedule includes a fixture against Queen’s Park, followed by a home match against Arbroath and away trips to Raith and Dunfermline. Later listed games include Livingston at home, Partick away, Ayr United at home, Greenock away, Queen’s Park at home and Stenhousemuir away. Queen’s Park will look to build on the win as it continues its league campaign.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Queen’s Park 1, Inverness 1 before kickoff. Interstat’s ELO system had given Queen’s Park a 71.9 percent probability to win. The actual result saw Queen’s Park win by one goal, with Connolly’s brace providing the difference.