A header from striker Paul Heffernan early in the second half was enough to secure back to back league wins for Queens for the first time since August as they held on to gain a valuable victory over visitors Dumbarton. After a fairly even first half during which both sides created some decent chances, it was the home side who made the breakthrough when Heffernan was on hand to head home a Lewis Kidd cross. There was little to choose between the teams as the game continued, and both teams could have scored on several occasions during the second period, but Queens stood firm, and with both skipper, Chris Higgins, and `keeper, Robbie Thomson in fine form, the hosts were able to keep the visitors at bay and claim a well earned three points.
Following the win at Alloa last time out, Queens named an unchanged starting line -up and continued in a 4-4-2 formation with Derek Lyle once again partnered upfront by Paul Heffernan who was making his first home start for the club.Before kick-off there was a minutes silence to commemorate those who have fallen whilst serving their country, which as is usual, was impeccably observed by all in attendance.
It was the away side who got the game underway and they came very close to taking an early lead with what was their first attack of the game. After being awarded a free-kick on the right, Waters delivery picked out the head of Buchanan but Robbie Thomson produced an outstanding reflex save to push the ball away, and when the ball was returned into the penalty area, Thomson was there again this time blocking Brophy`s header. Queens responded well and Mark Millar`s pass inside the full back found Jordan Marshall with time to pick out a cross, and although he was able to deliver the ball to the near post, it was slightly too far ahead of Heffernan and `keeper Brown collected the ball comfortably.
Robbie Thompson with a superb save early on
The visitors won the game`s first corner, but any chance of putting the Queens defence under pressure was halted when Thomson was fouled by Barr as both jumped for the ball. Dumbarton full-back Docherty had the chance to capitalise on an error of judgement by Brownlie, but he got caught between shooting and crossing and his effort sailed harmlessly out of play. It took Queens 17 minutes to win their first corner of the game, when a foray forward from Marshall saw his attempted cross blocked away. Millar`s delivery from the set-piece however was easily defended by Dumbarton under no real pressure from any Queens players.
Just before the half hour mark, Queens had their first attempt at goal. Gary Oliver`s clever close control enabled him to link up with Lewis Kidd down the right and Kidd produced an excellent cross that was met by the on-rushing Derek Lyle, but the striker could only send his header straight into the arms of `keeper Brown.
Possibly the best chance of the half for the visitors came following another error by Queens. Heffernan`s misplaced pass in midfield gave away possession and a swift attack finally ended with Lindsay`s good effort only just missing the target. That was a big let off for Queens who moments later had what was their best chance of the half. After winning their second corner, Millar`s perfectly placed delivery was met by another powerful header from Lyle, but once again the effort was straight at `keeper Brown who was in the right place to make the save.
The half ended as it had started with the visitors having two decent chances in quick succession. Firstly a break through the middle saw Gallagher just unable to keep his half volley under the bar, and then Brophy - on loan from Hamilton - went very close to opening the scoring turning well and shooting just wide from inside the penalty area. Queens` last attack of the half saw Heffernan almost send Lyle clear, but Buchanan`s challenge halted the break and the sides went to the break on level terms.
Plenty of chances for both teams in what was a pretty even first half, with Dumbarton probably feeling that they had the better chances to take the lead.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-0 DUMBARTON
The second period began with Queens in the ascendancy and just seven minutes into the half, they opened the scoring. Kyle Hutton`s ball found Kidd on the right and the midfielder produced an excellent cross to pick out the unmarked Paul Heffernan and the much travelled striker guided a header past Brown from close range. The quality of the cross from Kidd deserved to get rewarded and Heffernan`s composed finish saw him claim his first goal for Queens. It was just the start to the half that the majority of the 1465 in attendance were hoping for. However, the visitors responded well to falling behind and they went very close to finding an equaliser when Ross sent a free header wide of the back post as the Queens defence was posted missing. As the visitors continued to search for a goal, Brophy tried his luck again, but once more Thomson was his equal as he held on well to the striker`s fierce drive.
Heffernan beats Brown with the winner
Goal maker Oliver celebrates with goal taker Heffernan
Captain, Chris Higgins, was having an outstanding game and time after time he won aerial duals against Brophy, and Ross as the away side battled for parity.Queens made their first change after 68 minutes when Ryan Conroy replaced a seemingly out of sorts Iain Russell, and Conroy was immediately involved in the action when he almost got in behind the Dumbarton defence.
With 15 minutes to go, goalscorer, Heffernan was replaced by Aidan Smith, and moments later former Queens favourite Willie Gibson was sent on by Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken. The pace of Smith was very quickly evident, and when he raced on to a long clearance to put pressure on the Dumbarton defence `keeper Brown got there just ahead of him to clear the ball. His clearance though fell to Oliver and the striker tried a speculative drive from distance but the `keeper was able to recover and make what was in the end a very comfortable save.
Gibson`s introduction had given the visitors a spark, and on several occasions he caused problems for the Queens defence. After winning himself a free-kick 30 yards from goal, he drove the set-piece straight into the Queens wall, and when the ball was worked back to Brophy, the on loan striker was wasteful with his shot as it finished well wide of the target. Jake Pickard on for Lyle was Queens` final change of the day with 7 minutes left and moments later, Queens should have put the game to bed when they had a glorious chance to double their lead. Ryan Conroy`s free-kick was headed back across goal by Higgins and when the ball fell nicely for Millar to hit on the half volley it looked to be heading for the top corner, but with Brown well beaten the ball crashed against the angle of bar and post. Queens had one more chance late on when Oliver went close following good work from Conroy, but it was the visitors who almost scored when they had two very good chances to grab a point. Firstly Cawley was unlucky to see his shot from just inside the box hit the far upright with Thomson beaten, and then with the tannoy announcement naming Robbie Thomson as Queens man-of-the-match, Willie Gibson`s drive almost slipped through the Queens `keepers hands, but he recovered quickly to prevent the ball from creeping over the line.
Thompson denies Gibson with a last minute save
A decent enough game that surprisingly saw just the one goal given the amount of chances created by both sides, and for Queens a hard earned three points that takes them a little bit closer to that sought after end of season play-off place.