Queen of the South found disappointment yet again on the road to Rugby Park as a late winner from Oli Shaw ruined Queens hopes for a point after a hard-fought clash.

 

 

Wullie Gibson`s side travelled to Kilmarnock knowing they would be in for a long day, with Killie being unbeaten in the league in their last five games. Despite this, from the get-go the Queens fought tooth and nail for every ball and showed Derek McInnes that they would not be easy to overcome.

 

The first half saw plenty of action as Kilmarnock initially took control of the game and the Queens found themselves having to defend ferociously to stop the rampant Killie attacks. Blair Alston and Rory McKenzie looked particularly dangerous as they dictated most of the play looking to feed strikers Oli Shaw and Kyle Lafferty. It was a story of missed chances for Killie as they squandered three separate one on ones that were all saved impressively by Josh Rae.

 

Although the first half was mostly Killie`s, Queens did manage to create a few promising opportunities. Player-manager Wullie Gibson looked to lead the charge for several of Queen`s attacks with all chances coming down the left-hand side of the pitch. Striker Ally Roy found himself in an abundance of space outside the box and a fantastic strike that looked destined for the top corner was saved by Killie`s Hemming.

 

The remainder of the half was yet again dominated by Killie with midfielders Alston and Stephen McGinn orchestrating most attacks. Queens finally couldn`t hold out against the pressure as the ball fell to the feet of defender Ash Taylor inside the box, he coolly took a touch and curled the ball into the far corner just four minutes away from half-time.

 

After barely finding their feet at all in the first half the Doonhamers came out looking a lot more confident in the second period.

 

There were not a vast number of chances for either team in the first 15 minutes of the second half. A couple of long-range efforts were comfortably saved by each side`s keepers and both sides wasted a few corners.

 

Against the run of play, just as it looked like Killie were getting their rhythm back, Queens created an excellently worked counter- attack from Killie`s corner and scored around the 66-minute mark. After a fantastic run in the build-up from player-manager Wullie Gibson he slid the ball through to goal scorer Ally Roy. Roy did brilliant and showed great strength and determination to get past the defender and then calmly squeeze the ball home beyond Kilmarnock`s number one.

 

The next 10 minutes or so would be the Doonhamers best run of play in the game as they started to look comfortable on the ball and were looking better than the opposition on and off the ball for the first time in the game.

 

A huge chance was missed by Max Johnston who blazed it over the bar after finding himself one on one with Zach Hemming, which would be Queens last real chance of the game.

 

Killie started to find their aura again and began to dominate. Then in the 82nd  minute they were able to finally convert a chance for their second goal. Chris Burke delivered a low ball into the box just five minutes after coming on, and it reached Oli Shaw who scored for the second game running, and his 11th in the league this season. 

 

The last 10 minutes saw Killie comfortably run the clock down, with Queens desperately trying to get just one chance but to no avail. It was a frustrating day for the Doonhamers, where the result was fairly reflected on the game. Both teams fought hard, and, on the day, the better team won.

 

Stephen McGinn was named man of the match after a dominant performance in the middle of the park.

 

The result left Kilmarnock still leading at the top of the pile, with Queens only ahead of bottom on goal difference with an extra match played. It is promising for Queen of The South, travelling to the league leaders, and forcing them into an intense contest but in the coming games points must be gained if Willie Gibson`s men want to be playing championship football next season.