Queens missed the chance to move back into the playoff positions in today`s live tv clash at St Mirren. In a disappointing showing the Doonhamers were beaten 3-1 thanks mainly to Lewis Morgan`s two precise finishes.

There were two changes to the line up which lost at home to Morton last week as Shaun Rooney came into the side in a more advanced role on the right of midfield in place of Callum Tapping whilst Lyndon Dykes came in for Chris Kane in a switch to a 4-4-2 from the 4-3-1-2 that had been played recently. The hmoe side started the brighter in terms of balance of play but it was ten minutes before the first shot on target was registered by Lyndon Dykes. The big Australian struck his shot well enough but Craig Samson, one of four former Queens players in the home squad, coped with it easily enough and a pass may have been the better option. The former Motherwell keeper also saved Dobbie`s long range free kick pretty comfortably soon after.

St Mirren`s Cypriot full back Stelios was shown a yellow card for a studs up challenge on Rankin before the home side took the lead on 24 minutes. A deep free kick was lifted hopefully into the box and Reilly managed to turn it back to Cammy Smith about 10 yards out. The forward was allowed to turn and get his shot in too easily but still he didn`t appear to strike it properly so it was a surprise when it somehow squirmed under Alan Martin and into the net. Not one the big keeper will want to see again. Unfortunately the lead was doubled in the next attack of note as St Mirren made ground down the right and Jason Kerr could only clear the cross to the edge of the box where Lewis Morgan was well placed to arrow a shot into the bottom right corner. Queens were shell-shocked and offered little in reply for the rest of the half and St Mirren could not add to the score either.

Smith is allowed to shoot to open the scoring

Martin fumbles

The first action of note in the second half saw Josh Todd, a one time youth player at Queens, land awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Dykes and he left the field in obvious pain holding his arm / shoulder. We wish him well. He was replaced by Ross Stewart which meant a positional change for the hme side. On 54 minutes the match ended as any sort of serious contest as St Mirren added their third but it was a goal of some controversy. Derek Lyle should maybe have pulled a goal back with a close range shot but he was adamant it was deflected wide for a corner. Despite his protestations along with Dobbie and Rankin, late replacement referee Barry Cook awarded a St Miren goal kick. Straight up the other end and St Mirren were awarded a corner of their own which appeared to be a goal kick. Ian McShane took it short but the set piece routine was messed up and it looked like possession would be lost. However Lewis Morgan somehow eluded the tackles to fire in a low drive from at least 25 yards into the bottom left corner.

Martin cant get to the shot from Morgan for number three

Just after the hour mark Samson pulled off a fine block to deny Shaun Rooney a goal from about 12 yards out at a set piece and soon after manager Gary Naysmith made a double change with Callum Tapping and Chris Kane replacing Brownlie and Dykes. That meant a switch to a 4-3-1-2 formation with Rooney dropping in to right back and Fordyce moving over to left sided centre back. Kane went up top beside Lyle with Dobbie in behind them. Within a minute Queens did pull a goal back as Jason Kerr rose almost unchallenged at the back post to head hme a Dobbie free kick.

Kerr climbs highest to head home

Queens had their tails up now despite the scoreline and Rankin was next to go close, firing narrowly wide of target from the edge of the box. James McFadden replaced Lyle whilst St Mirren withdrew gavin Reilly and put Jordan Kirkpatrick on before they survived a loud appeal for a penalty. Kane made round down the right and got away from Jamie McCart before the on loan Celtic defender tripped him up right on the edge of the penalty box. Queens wanted a penalty but Mr Cook awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, despite McFadden`s attempt to place the ball inside the box to take it! With 10 minutes to go Samson made a fine save to deny Callum Fordyce this time with a good shot from just inside the box. Gary Irvine replaced Cammy Smith as the hme side ran down the clock but there was still time for McFadden to find himself in a great position wide right with lots of space, only to shoot well off target.

Kane falls into the box

So it`s St Mirren who move into 2nd spot whilst Queens remain 6th, 6 points from the top and 2 points outside the 4th spot currenly occupied by Livingston. Next week we make the long trip to Inverness and really need to bring back some points to avoid becoming detached from the playoff race.