Queens succumbed to a 6th consecutive league defeat, going down by one goal to nil away to Dunfermline. It was really a tale of two halves, with Queens being the better side in the opening period, while the Pars came into it in the second half, scoring through Ryan Blair on 74 minutes.

Match photo gallery here. 

Gary Naysmith made 1 change to his side that were narrowly beaten in Greenock on Tuesday, with Fraser Aird being reinstated at the expense of Barry Maguire. Queens lined up with Canadian Aird on the left-wing, with Mikey Doyle on the right. Lyndon Dykes played striker, with Stephen Dobbie playing just in-behind him.

It didn?t take long for the games first chance to be created, with Kallum Higginbotham missing a volley from just 8-yards out; his tame effort falling straight at Alan Martin in the QoS goal.

An early chance missed by the home side

A matter of minutes later, good work by Dykes won the visitors a free-kick right on the edge of the box, at an angle suited towards the left-footer. However, up stepped Stephen Dobbie on his right, with his effort not having enough curl to nestle in the back of the net.

Dykes, playing as the number nine rather than the deeper role he takes up most weeks, was able to put Dunfermline centre-backs Lee Ashcroft and Danny Devine under constant pressure, while Aird and Doyle took care of full-backs James Craigen and Ryan Williamson. On countless occasions this almost led to chances for Queens, however the home team had luck on their side, managing to avert every possible disaster.

Aird, who was taking stick from a section of the home fans, was having his best game in a Queens shirt. The pace-man had the beating of Craigen all afternoon, and was creating constant problems for the Pars. His link-up with Jordan Marshall opened up the left side multiple times, however each cross they put in was cut out by the impressive Dunfermline duo of Devine and Ashcroft, who have now kept four clean sheets on the trot.

The Fraser Aird fan club - or maybe not

At 24 minutes Dunfermline were awarded a free-kick, in a similar position to the previous one Queens received. Up stepped Ryan Blair who struck a wicked left-footed shot, that was sensationally tipped over the bar by Martin.

 Martin makes a crucial stop

Five minutes before half-time, Blair was the first man in the referee?s book for taking down Aird, who looked to be mounting a counter-attack.

Just before the break, Aberdeen loanee Bruce Anderson went within inches of breaking the deadlock, as a Williamson cross was turned narrowly wide by the young forward. 

Aird had a curling effort from inside the box go inches wide of Ryan Scully?s goal, before Gavin Duncan blew his whistle to signal the end of the opening 45.

Aird sends his effort just wide

HT - Dunfermline 0-0 QoS

Both teams had chances, but it was Queens who were on top. The home side couldn?t really match the energy of Queens, with Doyle and especially Aird causing them problems.

The second period was much more even, with both teams enjoying dominant spells. The opening 15 minutes were without any real quality, however.

On 59 minutes, Stevie Crawford brought off Aidan Connolly for Louis Longridge, who proved to be a thorn in the Queens side for the half hour he played.

The skilful winger was constantly involved, and it proved for an intriguing battle between Longridge and Scott Mercer, who himself had an impressive game.

Anderson had an effort on 66 minutes that flew narrowly over the bar, before Tom Beadling looked set to open the scoring from a free header at a corner, but the midfielder wasn?t able to reach the ball. 

Not long after though, on 74 minutes, Ryan Blair gave the hosts the lead. After picking the ball up on the edge of the area, he done well to turn onto his favoured left-side, before releasing a powerful strike beyond the reach of Alan Martin. 

Martin beaten

All-in-all, neither team really deserved the lead by this point. But when you?re coming in off the back of three successive wins, everything seems to go your way. And so it did, in Dunfermline?s case.

The last 15 minutes were absolutely dominated by Queens. Naysmith brought on McGrath, Stirling and Maguire in search for an equaliser. A change in formation saw Queens adopt a 3-4-2-1 shape, and Queens had chances to grab a point.

Although on 83 minutes, just before being subbed off, Darren Brownlie was almost sent off for a challenge on Anderson. A long ball set the youngster away and Brownlie, who was trying to hold Anderson off, put his hand to Anderson?s face. Gavin Duncan, much to the surprise and annoyance of the 4500 strong home support, brandished only a yellow card. 

In the last five minutes, Dykes seen a shot cleared off the line, before his rebound was bravely blocked by the head of former Queens man Mark Durnan, who came on for a cameo appearance. 

Louis Longridge missed a chance in injury time to put the game beyond Queens, with a one-on-one against Martin. Somehow, he miscued his effort and skewed it wide of the goal.

The last touch of the game was from a Queens corner which Jacobs rose highest too. His header though, from all of six-yards out, hit the legs of Scully who was able to gather before a barrage of Queens players pounced on him. The referee awarded the Pars a free-kick, but before it could be taken he blew his whistle for full-time.

Scully denies Jacobs

FT - Dunfermline 1-0 QoS

Another disappointing, but unlucky Queens defeat. The performances of the last 4 games haven?t been bad at all, but things just don?t seem to be going Queens? way at the moment. 

Two last minute winners, coupled with games against Dundee United and Dunfermline that showed Queens? play deserved at least a point on both occasions.

Nonetheless, it does mean it?s six losses in a row, which brings the third quarter to an end. It started well, with a draw against Ayr, a victory away to Inverness and a 4-0 mauling of Ross County at Palmerston. But six losses since has thrust Queens into a scrap for the promotion and the relegation play-offs.

Next Saturday we take on Inverness at Palmerston, needing an all important win to kick start a final push for 4th spot.

With our 100th Birthday on the horizon, let?s back the boys in blue, get down to Palmerston, and make our 100th birthday month a memorable one.

Finlay Jack