Allan Johnston a trio of changes to the side that lost to Hamilton during the week. Josh Todd and Ruari Paton returned to the starting eleven after each spending extended periods on the bench, with Alex Cooper also coming in at left-wing back. It was a 5-4-1 formation for the South in Kilmarnock ? Wullie Gibson and Harry Cochrane were in the middle of midfield with Lee Connelly and Todd providing the width.

 

The game started as many would have expected it, with the hosts seeing most of the ball, although Queens were defending astutely.

 

 

It was very much a back five in defence, but the wing-backs were certainly getting forward when Queens had the ball.

 

A Cooper cross fell the way of Connelly in the area after nine minutes, however his shot took a small deflection from Calum Waters and fell into the hands of Zach Hemming in the Killie goal.

 

It took the home team 17 minutes to manufacture any sort of chance, but when they did, they made it count.

 

Daniel Armstrong picked the ball up on the left wing, before chipping in an irresistible cross to Oli Shaw, who headed home from six yards past the helpless Sol Brynn.

 

Shaw heads home

 

The game settled back down after that with the hosts controlling possession but not testing Brynn.

 

Jason Naismith did have an attempt from the edge of the area after 25 minutes, but it was straight at the Queens ?keeper.

 

The visitors continued to see little of the ball but did look reasonably threatening going forward. Connelly?s shot from range was well tipped over by Hemming, although referee Don Robertson awarded a goalkick as a result!

 

Connelly shoots

 

The hosts should have doubled their lead moments before half-time though. A cross into the area was miscued by Roberto Nditi into the path of Shaw, eight yards out, but Brynn was rapidly off his like to deny the striker.

 

 

Queens looked solid in the opening 45 but lacked the cutting edge when they went forward ? something they?d need to find in the second-half if they were to come away with anything.

 

And find the cutting edge they almost did, after just 25 seconds.

 

Cooper beat Naismith on the left before delivering a terrific cross into the feet of Connelly. The winger took a touch, but Hemming was off his line quickly to deny Queens? 10.

 

At the other end, Liam Polworth glanced a header harmlessly over Brynn?s crossbar.

 

Queens were still in the same shape but Todd and Connelly were playing far closer to Paton in the second period in search for a goal.

 

Shaw was the next man to have a chance though after getting on the end of a Euan Murray clearance-turned-pass, he sent a volley wide of the goal.

 

On 59 minutes however, he did double his sides lead. A cross from the left bobbled about in the Queens box before falling to Shaw to place home from close range.

 

Second for Killie

 

Two almost became three eight minutes later when Polworth drifted through the Queens midfield before playing in Scott Robinson, but the on loan Livingston forward sent his curling shot wide of the goal.

 

Calvin McGrory replaced Todd with 20 minutes to go, before Callum Hendry came on for the hosts, replacing Robinson.

 

Don Robertson brandished his yellow card for the first time on 78 minutes as Nditi and Armstrong were cautioned for dissent.

 

With Queens looking to try and get back into the game, the hosts very much put it to bed right at the death, as substitute Callum Hendry waltzed his way past various Queens defenders, before finishing well at Brynn?s near post.

 

It got worse for Queens still, two minutes into injury time, as Chris Burke got on the scoresheet.

 

 

A disappointing day, but the two late goals certainly made things look more one sided than they were. Queens gave a good account of themselves at times, but never really looked like getting back into the game after going two down.