The 2011 Scottish Challenge Cup final was played between Queen of the South and Ross County at McDiarmid Park, Perth. Ross County won 2âÂÂ0. The game had been postponed from November to April due to inclement weather.
Queen of the South beat Peterhead 2âÂÂ1 in their semi-final and Ross County beat Partick Thistle 4âÂÂ3 on penalties after their semi-final ended at 2âÂÂ2.
Queen of the South have appeared in the final twice before, winning the 2002 final 2âÂÂ0 against Brechin City, but losing the 1997 final 1âÂÂ0 to Falkirk. Ross County have appeared in three Challenge Cup finals to date, defeating Clyde on penalties in the 2006 final but losing the 2004 final to Falkirk, and the 2008 final to Airdrie United on penalties.
Both teams have recently appeared in the Scottish Cup final. Queens were beaten 3âÂÂ2 in 2008 Scottish Cup final by Rangers. County were beaten 3âÂÂ0 by Dundee United two years later in the 2010 Scottish Cup final.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on 28 November 2010. However the game was postponed at noon the day before the game after consultation with police voicing concerns over weather conditions particularly on the A9. Due to the Scottish football referee strike, the original fixture was scheduled to be officiated by foreign officials. The revised final date was 10 April 2011.
The match was televised live on BBC Alba.
The game was played in unseasonally warm conditions with bright sunshine and a good natured atmosphere generated by both sets of fans. An early goal gave County a dream start but it was a nightmare for Queens and in particular goalkeeper David Hutton. Asked to deal with a routine passback by Queens captain David Lilley, a combination or poor decision making and poor ball control on Hutton's part allowed Andrew Barrowman to exert pressure and dispossess him. Barrowman easily rolled the ball into the empty net from one yard in the eighth minute to make the score 1âÂÂ0 against his former club.
Queens only exerted pressure in the five-minute period leading up to County's second goal when they forced goalmouth scrambles. However, a swift County counterattack led to a ball from the right wing, with Iain Vigurs scoring from close range in 39 minutes to make it 2âÂÂ0.
County were deserved winners without having to exert themselves against a Queens side who were easily second best in all departments and short of ideas other than aiming long balls at Derek Holmes.