Queen of the South overcame a stubborn Forfar Athletic at Palmerston Park to claim their seventh league victory in succession and extended their lead at the top of Division Two to 19 points.

Ryan McGuffie`s first half goal was cancelled out by Chris Templeman’s scrambled effort before Derek Lyle powered a header into the top corner before the break.  Nicky Clark continued his fine goalscoring form as he bagged his eighteenth league goal of the season as he slid the ball past Jack Hamilton in the Forfar goal.

Manager Allan Johnston was happy with the result but felt the performance was below par.

“Delighted to get the win.  They made it really difficult for us with the way they play and Templeman was a big threat. 

“We took our goals well but we can definitely play a lot better than that.” 

Derek Lyle scored a header from eighteen yards to make it four goals in as many games.

“I think I`ve scored three with the head this season.  I`ve managed to get in positions and get on the end of things.  It`s not been my game but I`ll take it anyway.

“It was quite a distance but I connected well and lucky enough it`s gone in the top corner.”

Second-placed Alloa were unable to beat East Fife at home and sees the Doonhamers sit an impressive 19 points clear after 21 games.

Lyle: “I was in this league last season with Cowdenbeath and it was a hard league.  We seem to be making it look easy but that`s all credit to the boys and the way the gaffer wants to play football.  I wasn`t expecting to be 19 points clear at this stage but we`ll take it.”

Lyle`s manager is not taking anything for granted though as he aims to claim the Second Division title in his first year in management.

Allan Johnston: “We have two massive games coming up.  I was saying to them before the game, obviously we had Forfar today, then it`s Brechin and then Alloa.  So it`s three massive games for us and we have to make sure we get maximum points from them.”