Soccer-Queen of the South reach cup final in seven-goal thriller

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW, April 12 (Reuters) - A goal by striker John Stewart gave Queen of the South a thrilling 4-3 win over Aberdeen on Saturday and their first appearance in the Scottish Cup final.

Queens, from the second tier of Scottish football and founded in 1919, had gone into the semi-final as underdogs against their Premier League opponents.

But they three took the lead times, and Aberdeen equalised three times, before Stewart grabbed the winner against his old club on the hour mark.

Steve Tosh fired Queens ahead in the 22nd minute after Aberdeen keeper Derek Soutar spilled a high ball into the box. Aberdeen levelled with an Andy Considine header in the 36th.

Queens moved 2-1 ahead through Paul Burns just three minutes into the second half only for Aberdeen to equalise two minutes later with a close-range effort from Barry Nicholson.

Queens, who play in the Scottish First Division, restored their lead with a fine shot from Sean O'Connor after he dragged the ball across two defenders in the box before.

Aberdeen equalised yet again with another Considine goal, just a minute before Stewart rifled home the winner.

Queens manager Gordon Chisholm told BBC radio: "I am absolutely delighted and I have to praise my chairman David Rae who has given me great backing."