After our unbeaten league cup campaign, it was time for the start of our league one fixtures. The manager made one change to last weeks starting eleven for the visit of Alloa, with Craig McGuffie returning from suspension, Efe Ambrose dropped to the bench.
It was the best possible start for Queens as they opened the scoring with just 84 seconds on the clock. Kieran McKechnie pounced on a mistake by former Palmerston defender Dave McKay and although he was challenged by Tochukwu Ogayi, the little frontman stayed on his feet to take it round the keeper to slot into the bottom corner.
The lead lasted no more than five minutes though as Queens failed to deal with a free kick into the box and McKay made up for his mistake when he latched onto a loose ball to beat Gordon Botterill and level the game.
The home side won a free kick of their own, but Reegan Mimnaughs effort was saved by Ogayi. And with just fifteen minutes gone, despite taking the early lead Queens found themselves behind. A short pass in the middle of the park allowed Bradley Rodden to run through to fire the ball into the net.
As Queens tried to make amends, McGuffie played a good ball over the top for Gavin Reilly to chase but the keeper got there first. Midway through the half Roddens shot was pushed out for a corner by Botterill and as Queens broke up field, McGuffie tried to play in McKechnie, but the ball was cleared.
With just under half an hour gone, Queens were again punished for some poor defending when Connor Sammon used his height and strength to head home Alloas third.
Up against it Reilly played a good ball across the six-yard box but although McKechnie was at the back post he wasnt able to connect. Cammy Logan then tried a long-range effort that hit the side netting.
Nine minutes before the interval, Queens were given a lifeline when Miko Virtanen brought down Josh Todd inside the box and Reilly kept the spot kick low to find the bottom corner with the keeper going the wrong way.
Next up, as Mimnaughs shot was blocked it fell to McKechnie but as he tried to take it closer to the target it was cleared for a corner.
Two minutes before the interval Alloa dealt Queens a further blow as more schoolboy defending allowed Rodden time and space at the edge of the penalty area to hit a left foot shot low into the net to give them a comfortable lead at the break.
HALF TIME: Queens 2 Alloa 4
Unhappy with the first half defending the manager made three changes at the interval with Daniel Church, Ambrose and Lee Connelly coming on in place of Paul McKay, Jordan Houston and Todd. Although Queens had a lot of possession, they were finding it hard to break down a side who packed everyone behind the ball and goal scoring chances were at a premium.
As the half-progressed Ambrose headed a Mimnaugh free kick wide before Alloa started to come back into it. Lee Connelly lost the ball 20 yards out and as Stefan Scougall raced in on goal, Ambrose challenge resulted in a free kick and a booking for the defender. Scougall himself took the set-piece but Botterill saved.
A minute later Botterill tipped the ball over the bar from Rodden and Church making his debut headed clear the resulting corner.
In the final quarter of the game, McKechnie played the ball across, but it was too powerful for Reilly at the back post, and he couldnt connect as the rain started to tip down.
Queens were awarded a second spot kick six minutes from time when Connellys shot was judged to come off a hand inside the box. It was a soft penalty, but Reilly stepped up again, this time hitting it high off the underside of the bar to beat PJ Morrison who had come on for the injured Ogayi for his 100th career goal.
Back within touching distance and the chance of a draw Mimnaugh hit a left foot shot from 20 yards just wide before Connelly cleared the crossbar with a free kick deep in injury time.
FULL TIME: Queens 3 Alloa 4