Queens succumbed to their first defeat of 2021 after goals from Andy Graham and Kevin Cawley handed Alloa all three points, despite Isaiah Jones giving Queens an early lead.

 

The game was delayed nearly 45 minutes due to a ?problem? with the referee, meaning Steven Reid, who was due to be fourth official at Livingston, was forced to come in at the last minute.

 

 

Alan Johnston made just the one change to the side that defeated Morton two weeks ago with Isaiah Jones coming in for his debut at the expense of Calvin McGrory.

 

Queens lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with skipper Rhys McCabe in holding midfield, while Euan East and Dan Pybus played ahead of him. Jones started on the left-wing, although switched with Aidan Fitzpatrick at various points throughout the game.

 

The first part of the first half was all about the Doonhamers. High pressing, dangerous attacks and pacey wingers. Jones and Fitzpatrick were causing all sorts issues, but it was Connor Shields who was central to all the good work from the team in blue.

 

The first talking point of the game came after six minutes. A dangerous tackle from Steven Hetherington on Willie Gibson was only punished with a yellow card by stand-in referee Reid, although it could well have been red.

 

Although two minutes later the Doonhamers were deservedly ahead. Some terrific pressing forced Kevin Cawley into a poor backpass that Shields intercepted. The dangerous striker ran through, firing an exceptionally powerful effort at Neil Parry?s goal, only for the rebound to fall into the path of Isaiah Jones. It was the simplest of finishes for Jones, hopefully the first of many for the Middlesbrough loanee.

 

Jones nets on his debut

Jones celebrates his debut goal

 

Queens continued to probe. Andy Graham almost turned a shot into his own net after getting on the end of a Shields cross.

 

The resulting corner fell at the feet of Rhys Breen, who passed to Shields 12-yards out, however Queens? number 10 snatched at the shot and fired wide of Parry?s net.

 

The visitors were made to pay for being wasteful in-front of goal, albeit in controversial fashion.

 

A corner was nodded down in the box and chased by both Graham and Shields. Despite the Queens man staying down with a clear head injury, play continued and Andy Graham knocked past Ferguson from close range to equalise. Shields then went off and had to undergo a concussion test after the goal.

Shields falls over Graham and cracks his head on the surface

Graham nets as Shields remains on the ground nursing a sore head.

 

Queens continued to dictate proceedings after the goal though and almost went back ahead straight away. Another terrific Jones run ended in a neat pass to James Maxwell, although the left-back saw his shot well saved by Parry.

 

Disaster struck after 36 minutes though as Shields was downed following a bad challenge from Nicky Jamieson. Despite trying to continue, Queens? top scorer was forced off and was replaced by Dapo Mebude.

Shields takes one too many fouls

An impressively swollen ankle for Shields thanks to Nicky Jamieson

 

 

An opening period that was virtually one-way traffic for the entire 45 minutes. The Doonhamers had two or three chances to go in ahead but found themselves level.

 

The second half got underway with Jamieson being replaced by Jon Robertson for the hosts.

 

After an unusually quiet 15 minute spell to open the second-half, the Wasps took the lead.

 

A brilliant ball was swung into the area by Robertson, onto the head of Kevin Cawley. His header crashed off the bar, but the winger was the quickest man to react and tapped home the rebound.

 

Cawley was quickest to react and scores the winner

 

The Doonhamers were trying to force Alloa?s hand by throwing men forward, but largely struggled to create without Shields.

 

Maxwell was a constant threat down the left-hand side for Queens, playing in Fitzpatrick after 71 minutes but the winger could only shoot into the hands of Parry.

 

The Norwich loanee soon made way for Niyah Joseph as Queens went searching for an equaliser.

 

It wasn?t to be though, with the South?s only real chance in the final 20 minutes being a header from Ayo Obileye that Parry done well to tip away.

 

Tommy Goss replaced Maxwell after 90 minutes but it was too little too late as Alloa took the spoils.

 

 

A disappointing defeat in Clackmannanshire for the Doonhamers, their first since Boxing Day.

 

It doesn?t get any easier next week for Queens as table-toppers Heart of Midlothian visit Palmerston for Friday night football.