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New manager Marvin Bartley watched from the stand as Queen of the South beat Kelty Hearts after a penalty shoot-out that followed a goalless draw to reach the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-finals.

The former Livingston assistant was in an observing role before taking charge of Queens for the first time away to Montrose in League 1 on Saturday.

Kelty arrived one place above their hosts in seventh in the table.

And they had beaten Queens in their two previous meetings.

But they were unable to repeat the 2-1 victory in their first-ever visit to Palmerston last month as their three-game unbeaten away run came to an end.

Queens striker Lee Connelly was first to miss in the shoot-out, but Max Currie was the hero for last season's runners-up as the goalkeeper saved from both Kyle Doherty and Robbie McNab before Calvin McGrory secured the win for the team led for a second time by caretaker Grant Murray.

Championship side Hamilton Academical, who beat Clyde 3-2 on Tuesday, will host Queens in the last four on 7/8 February.