Allan Johnston made just the one change from the side that got the better of Ayr United last week, with Gary Oliver replacing the injured Jack Hamilton. Robby McCrorie took his place in-between the sticks a mere 20 hours after sitting on the bench for Scotland U21?s in their defeat to Greece at Tynecastle. Michael Paton marked his return from injury starting from the bench.
Match photo gallery link here.
This seasons earlier fixture was a memorable one, a thumping 4-0 victory for the Doonhamers at Palmerston as a Stephen Dobbie double along with goals from Kevin Holt and Michael Paton gave Queens all three points. The last fixture at Tannadice was a 2-1 victory for Queens again, with Dobbie and Lyndon Dykes proving too much for the Arabs.
Queens lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Gary Oliver and Connor Murray joining Dobbie in leading the line.
After just 30 seconds the hosts won the games first corner, with the resulting set-piece causing Queens no issue. Sam Stanton had the games first shot from range, not troubling McCrorie in goal.
Not long after, more injury struck to what is looking like an increasingly thin Queens squad. After being sandwiched between McCrorie and Louis Appéré, Lee Kilday looked to have hurt is right-leg. Despite playing on for a few minutes, the centre-half was forced to be replaced by Callum Semple. It extends a run of bad luck for the visitors, with Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Jack Hamilton and now Lee Kilday all being forced off early in games through injury.
Kilday crunch
Both teams were playing some open football, with Queens? front trio causing the Arabs problems, while Paul McMullan?s trickery and Louis Appéré?s runs were causing Queens issues.
Unfortunately for the strong Queens support, it was McMullan who got the games opening goal. After a dangerous run on the outside of Semple from Appéré, that looked like it may have had a hint of offside, the young striker cut-back to Ian Harkes, who laid off for McMullan to calmly score in the bottom-right corner.
The section for away supporters
The game was finely balanced before the goal and remained so after it, with Connor Murray scoring past Benjamin Siegrist, however the goal was ruled out for offside.
Murray nets but it is ruled out for offside
Dobbie and Oliver were testing Siegrist from range pretty regularly throughout the first period, but neither could cause the ?keeper too many problems.
McCrorie foils the attack
On the stroke of half-time, United got an all-important second goal through Nicky Clark. A dangerous run through the heart of the Queens defence, gave the ex-Queens frontman plenty of time one-on-one with McCrorie and he made no mistake in scoring past the shot-stopper.
Clark scores the second
HT: Dundee United 2-0 QoS
The second-half got underway in the worst possible manner for the Doonhamers. Following an early booking for Scott Mercer after a dangerous challenge on Jamie Robson, Sam Stanton was on hand to waltz through the Queens defence into the area and tuck the ball away neatly past the helpless McCrorie.
Mercer picks up a booking for this challenge
Not long after three almost became four as Nicky Clark had a snapshot from 12-yards out, although McCrorie was on hand to make a smart save.
Queens made their second substitute of the afternoon as Semple was replaced by Andy McCarthy. This meant Holt switched to CB, while Darren Lyon went out to LB.
A pair of quick bookings followed as Dan Pybus was cautioned for a dangerous tackle on Stanton, while Kidd got booked a minute later for an accumulation of fouls.
Nicky Clark had another free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box, but once again it didn?t test McCrorie.
Dobbie almost pulled one back for Queens but his driven shot from 20-yards was well saved by Siegrist.
Nicky Clark, who?d been causing real problems for Queens all afternoon was then replaced by Cammy Smith, who himself almost scored instantly had it not been for a last-ditch Holt challenge.
Dan Pybus tried his luck with a pair of shots, however Liam Smith was on hand to block the first while Pybus? second was well saved by Siegrist.
Holt has a free kick awarded against him for his challenge
After 80 minutes, Michael Paton marked his return from injury, replacing Connor Murray.
The final 15 minutes of the game were probably Queens? best. Despite being three down, the frontmen were still looking to cause United problems.
With just minutes left, Appéré went searching for a goal of his own, but despite multiple shots he wasn?t able to score United?s fourth.
FT: Dundee United 3-0 QoS
A disappointing day for Queens who were unable to capitalise on last weeks and extend their run of good results.
It?s a break from the league campaign next week, as we welcome Queens Park to Palmerston in the 3rd Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.