Queens and Dumbarton fought out a 2-2 draw in windy conditions at the Your Radio 103FM Stadium last night. Despite falling behind twice, Queens dug deep and showed character to gain a point they deserved, particularly on the second half showing.
 

There were two changes to the side that was well beaten by Livingston on Saturday as Derek Lyle was missing through illness and Kyle Jacobs was suspended after his red card. Into the starting line up came Connor Murray and Callum Tapping. Dumbarton were coming off a fine 2-2 draw at Dunfermline and lined up with former Queens players Andy Dowie, Kyle Hutton and Craig Barr in their ranks.
 

Although it took Queens a while to get to grips with a strong wind at their backs, they had the best chance of the opening 10 minutes when a defensive error allowed Lyndon Dykes space on the edge of the box but his shot lacked power and failed to trouble Scott Gallacher unduly. The home side took the lead out of the blue on 11 minutes when a cross from the right evaded the centre backs and struck Callum Tapping on the side of the head before looping well over Martin and into the top corner of the net. Contrary to media reports elsewhere, Callum Fordyce wasn`t involved but Tapping knew nothing about it as he tracked back into his own box. An unfortunate incident to say the least!
 

If Fordyce wasn`t involved in the goal, he was however the centre of attention midway through the half as he collapsed in a heap whilst trying to chase Tom Walsh down the wing. It was immediately clear he had a hamstring pull and would not be able to continue. Shaun Rooney replaced him at right back. Dumbarton were in control for most of the rest of the half without threatening to add to their score but the last 10 minutes or so saw Queens play their way into the game and start to cause problems, with Murray firing just over. Shaun Rooney picked up the game`s first booking two minutes before the break when he slipped pursuing the slippery Walsh and accidentally brought the winger crashing down too. On the stroke of half time Mark Stewart dispossessed Jason Kerr and broke into the box before going down under the defender`s recovery tackle. The striker appealed for a penalty but there wasn`t much support for it from his team-mates and Mr Newlands wasn`t moved.

 

All over for Fordyce
 

Queens began the second half in a much more positive fashion, moving the ball around nicely and causing Dumbarton problems. On the hour Chris Kane replaced McFadden. Kyle Hutton fired narrowly over from outside the box on a rare Dumbarton foray forward before they sent Greg Morrison on for the very quiet Froxylias and Andy Stirling replaced Callum Tapping in our final change. Queens equalised on 69 minutes. It began with a Dumbarton set piece which Jordan Marshall ran clear from his own half and fed Dobbie who slipped a ball towards Chris Kane inside the penalty area. Kane managed to get his body in front of Stuart Carswell who then brought him down for what appeared to be a fairly clear penalty. Mr Newlands had no doubts and pointed to the spot and, after a short delay, Stephen Dobbie put the memories of Oswestry behind him and fired the equaliser into the bottom left corner for his 96th Queens goal.

 

Kane is brought down for the penalty

 

Dobbie celebrates his penalty goal
 

Dumbarton responded by sending the ever dangerous Christian Nade on for Mark Stewart but it was Queens who nearly took the lead soon after when Jason Kerr reacted to a loose ball at a corner kick to fire towards goal only for his shot to be deflected over the bar. Ally Roy replaced Callum Gallagher as the home side made their final change and within two minutes they were back in front. A cross from the corner flag area from the dangerous Walsh wasn`t blocked and Greg Morrison nipped in front of Kerr to force the ball over the line from close range. Dumbarton`s lead lasted two minutes. This time Walsh conceded a corner at the other end and when Dobbie`s kick was flighted in, Sam Wardrop was the unfortunate defender turning the ball into his own net this time under pressure from Kane.

 

Own goal equaliser from Dumbarton No.12 Wardrop
 

There was still time for some late controversy though as Dumbarton thought they`d found a winner. A deep cross from the right went over the head of the clearly offside Morrison and was lashed into the net by the inrushing Ally Roy who appeared to have run from an onside position. The assistant`s flag had gone up early though, presumably against Morrison who was standing in front of Martin, and the goal was ruled out, much to the chagrin of the home side`s supporters. The game finished soon after following a shot from distance from Dobbie which curled wide of Gallagher`s post. 
 

The point leaves us still placed 5th, a point outside the top four. Victory over Inverness at Palmerston on Saturday might move us into the playoff positions though.