Queens will play Championship football again next season after today`s Play-Off Final second leg ended scoreless giving Queens a 3-1 aggregate victory over the two games. There was a nervy start for Queens as they came under some early pressure from Raith, but as the game progressed - and especially toward the latter stages - Queens created several presentable scoring opportunities, and were denied by a combination of fine goalkeeping, and not being able to find the crucial finish as they looked to end the season with a victory.
Mascot, Captains and Officials today
Following the midweek win ,Allan Johnston made just one change to the team that started in Kirkcaldy with Barry Maguire replacing the injured Scott Mercer in defence as we lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, whilst visitors Raith made three changes to their line-up as McKay, McGuffie, and Barjonas were all included from the start.
The visitors began well and forced an early corner that Alan Martin did well to punch away under pressure, and as Raith continued to force the issue a long ball from defence had Queens back pedalling and when a knock back from Nisbet fell into the path of Matthews, he really should have done better than balloon a shot well over the bar.
It had been a shaky opening period for Queens, and that continued when Martin needlessly raced from his line to try to clear the ball, and although beaten to it by a Raith forward, Mikey Doyle was on hand to cover and clear the danger.
Queens only real attempt in a disappointing opening first quarter came when Kyle Jacobs, and Mikey Doyle worked a decent opening for Iain Wilson, but he too was well off target with his shot.
Alan Martin made a really good save to keep out Duggan as Queens continued to look very nervy, and minutes later Martin flapped at a cross from a corner and Queens were fortunate that no Raith player was on hand to capitalise.
Martin makes a great stop
After managing to come through the opening period unscathed, Queens began to settle and at last pose more of a threat when going forward. A right wing cross from Connor Murray was only inches away from finding the on-rushing Lyndon Dykes, and from their next attack a cross- this time from the left - was headed back across goal by Stephen Dobbie looking to pick out Murray, but he was out jumped by Benedictus and the chance had gone.
Connor Murray was involved in the action once again when a foul on him gave Queens the chance from a set-piece, and after the quickly taken free-kick found Dobbie his powerful low drive crashed against the near post. Queens produced a fine flowing move that involved Dobbie, Wilson, and Todd and only ended when the final pass to Dykes waiting for a tap in at the far post was cut out by the Raith defence. This was easily our best spell in the game up to that point and Murray went close after being set up by Dobbie, and then Dobbie himself wasn`t too far away after good work from both Murray, and then Todd created his chance.
Murray fires just past the upright
Raith defender Benedictus then blocked what looked certain to be the opening goal when he got in the way of a half volley from Dykes, and as Queens ended the opening half in the ascendancy, a block tackle by Jacobs allowed him to send Dobbie clear on goal, but Raith `keeper Lyness was equal to Dobbie`s effort and produced a smart save to palm the low shot to safety.
The first half was certainly split pretty evenly with Raith starting well and dominating the first period, and then Queens were much the better team from the mid-way point and could arguably have held the lead at the break, but as it was with the half ending all square, it was still pretty strongly advantage for Queens in the tie at the interval.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-0 RAITH ROVERS
No changes were made at the break as once again it was the visitors who started brightly. An early free kick into the Queens penalty area was not properly cleared and when the ball reached the edge of the box, Crane wasted the opportunity by blasting the ball well wide of the target. In response Queens created a half chance when quick thinking following a throw-in led to Dobbie flicking the ball into the path of Todd, but the Dundee bound player could not sign off his time at Queens with a goal as his tame effort went straight at `keeper Lyness.
There were strong claims for a Raith penalty just past the hour mark when it appeared that whilst chasing back to defend a long ball, the foot of Maguire did come into contact with Duggan at shoulder height, but fortune was with Queens as referee Walsh waved play on - a decision that incensed the band of travelling Raith supporters.
Fantastic visiting support
The visiting `keeper had enhanced his reputation with a couple of good saves in the first half, and once again he did exceptionally well to push away a shot from Maguire as Queens slowly started to control the game, and Lyness was at it again making another really good save as a quickly taken free-kick led to Murray hitting a powerful drive that the `keeper turned away as Queens looked for the `killer` goal.
Pressure was no mounting on the Raith defence and from Murray`s 76th minute corner Maguire saw a header cleared off the line, and then moments later a shot from Maguire was blocked into the path of Dobbie and he saw his goal bound effort blocked by the impressive Benedictus.
No way through with defenders and keeper in top form for the visitors
With the game moving into it`s final minutes Queens created several opportunities to score and as the visitors efforts began to affect their game, Stephen Dobbie went very close twice in as many minutes as firstly he dragged a left foot shot across goal just wide, and then from the right hand side of the box was extremely unlucky not to see the net bulge as his attempt missed by just a few inches.
For Raith both Nisbet and substitute Buchanan had half chances - with neither of them causing problems , and as the curtain came down on another season for Queens, the good news from what has been a largely disappointing campaign is that at least we can look forward to another season in the Championship.