Rookie manager Wullie Gibson?s Doonhamers welcomed an Arbroath side led by who many see as a King, in Dick Campbell, in what was an intriguing 0-0 draw at Palmerston. The South created a myriad of chances as day turned to knight at an unusually mild Palmerston, but they weren`t able to break the stalemate.

 

There wasn?t too many shocks in the team selection, albeit the Gaffer named an exceptionally attacking side featuring a myriad of attacking talent. Gibson himself started at left-back in the absence of Alex Cooper, whilst Lee Connelly joined Innes Cameron up-front.

 

It was an edgy start to the game with three points crucial for both sides, at either side of the table.

 

Josh Rae and Derek Gaston were left as virtual spectators, with the first notable moment coming on 25 minutes when Connelly was forced off injured, to be replaced by Kieran McKechnie. It was an interesting choice by the gaffer, with McKechnie?s only football for Queens coming in December 2020.

 

McKechnie comes on for Connolly

 

The former Rangers youth impressed though with a mixture of raw pace and dogged challenges proving an exciting combination.

 

Cameron had the first real effort on goal after 35 minutes after nodding a Max Johnston cross onto the back of Jason Thomson, forcing a corner for Queens.

 

On 41 minutes, Arbroath?s best chance of the game came and went. The South were unable to clear their lines resulting in Craig Wighton being afforded a shot from a central position, only 12 yards out. He did force Rae into making a smart save low to his right, however a striker of Wighton?s calibre would have expected better.

 

That was pretty much it for the hosts in terms of goal mouth action. Darragh O?Connor and Euan East continue to improve as a defensive partnership and limited a dangerous Arbroath side to virtually nothing.

 

A couple away corners came and went with Queens counterattacking at real pace, though the final ball wasn?t quite there on any of them.

 

 

A solid opening 45 of Gibson?s tenure and plenty to build on in the second.

 

McKechnie almost capped off an impressive home debut with a goal on 54 minutes after his long-range effort caused Gaston to fumble, though the ?keeper collected at the second attempt.

 

Aidan Fitzpatrick, who was at the heart of most of Queens? good work going forward, got on the end of a wonderful McKechnie ball through after 64 minutes, however, his volley was safely caught by Gaston.

 

Fitzpatrick denied

 

Each side began making changes and it was Queens?s subs who were looking the most dangerous with Shea Gordon coming within whiskers of breaking the deadlock.

 

After manufacturing an inch of room on the edge of the area, his curling effort was sublimely tipped onto the crossbar by an acrobatic Gaston.

 

The South never gave up hope and it was Ally Roy, who earlier replaced Fitzpatrick, dictating things in the final third for the Doonhamers.

 

A wonderful ball-through from Josh Todd allowed Roy time to round Gaston, only for Colin Hamilton to put in a magnificent last-ditch challenge to deny a sure goal.

 

Roy rounds Gaston

 

On the rebound, McKechnie fired goalwards, only for Tam O?Brien to be waiting on the goalline to clear.

 

Little heads off the line to deny a last minute McKechnie winner for Queens

 

As injury-time went on, the chances continued to flow for Queens.

 

The final one fell at the feet of Roy who was unable to direct his volley goalwards as he dragged it wide.

 

 

?Only? a point for Queens but it felt like so much more than that. The character, fight and determination shown by each player was evident from the start, and clearly appreciated by the supporters who stayed behind to applaud off their team. Whilst everyone is disappointed not to have taken the three that we deserved, nobody could question effort from the side.

 

Headlines may go to other players, but a special mention to Josh Rae who kept his first clean-sheet for the club this afternoon. There?s no doubting Rae?s quality since returning to the side as he picked up a well deserved shut-out, with help from O?Connor, East and the rest of the team.

 

Next up for Queens it?s Ayr United at Somerset Park as we look to build on a good point at Palmerston.