Allan Johnston?s return to the Queens dugout wasn?t a happy one, as despite some magic from Connor Murray, the Doonhamers went down 2-1 at Links Park. 

Not all is lost however, with a second-leg at Palmerston on Saturday there is still plenty to play for.

Match photo gallery here.

The new boss made wholesale changes to the side that went down 3-0 at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday. Returning to the side were Darren Brownlie, Callum Fordyce, Iain Wilson, Fraser Aird and perhaps most surprisingly Alan Martin. Out went Stephen Dobbie, Barry Maguire, Andy Stirling and Nicky Low. Jack Leighfield was omitted from the squad altogether, with his foot/ankle heavily strapped in the stands.

Queens adopted a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Doyle sitting just ahead of the back four, Wilson on the right of Kyle Jacobs in the three, and Josh Todd and Lyndon Dykes playing as strikers. Aird started on the left-wing.

From the get-go it was clear that Johnston had reinstated some determination and fight that had been lacking in the previous two defeats. A high press meant Montrose struggled to really get a foothold in the early stages of the game. Jacobs revelled in the slightly further forward role, his seemingly never ending running causing the Montrose back line plenty of problems.

Unfortunately for the visitors, their early dominance wasn?t rewarded with a goal, although they did go excruciatingly close. After just 10 minutes, a Scott Mercer cross was brought down exquisitely by Lyndon Dykes, who?s near-post effort came crashing off the post and was cleared by Sean Dillon.

After a shaky start the home team grew into the game. Content to let Fordyce and Brownlie keep the ball, the Gable Endies were happy to sit deep and hit Queens on the counter. Although it did take Montrose 30 minutes to register their first shot, Euan Henderson striking an effort from range harmlessly over Alan Martin?s goal.

After 40 minutes, the Doonhamers should?ve taken the lead. Good work down the left afforded Dykes time 15-yards from goal, but his effort was poor and fell well wide of Colin Flemings near post.

And Queens would live to rue that miss, as just moments later, Montrose took the lead. A ball into the box wasn?t dealt with by the Queens back-line, and it fell to Ross Campbell to stroke past Alan Martin.

A matter of minutes later, John McKendrick blew his half-time whistle.

HT: Montrose 1-0 QoS

A positive first 40 minutes for Allan Johnston, however his side were dealt a sucker-punch with Campbell?s late strike. Johnston wasted no time in changing things, replacing Scott Mercer with Connor Murray.

This allowed Todd to move to the wing, and Doyle to right-back. Wilson moves into the centre of midfield.

The change looked to have paid dividends as Queens looked re-energised in search for an equaliser. Murray and Aird tested Fleming from range, however neither threatened the goal. At the other end, Montrose still looked dangerous on the break with Queens committing men forward.

The back five of Montrose were limiting Queens to efforts from range. Thankfully for the Doonhamers, some Murray magic was enough to equal the scores. Halfway through the second period, the young forward picked up the ball 25-yards out, and struck a venomous shot into the top corner of the goal. It was certainly a goal deserving of winning, or at least drawing, any game. 

Unfortunately for Queens, they were only on level terms for a matter of seconds. A cross from the right hand side wasn?t dealt with properly, and the same man was in the same place, as Campbell tucked another shot neatly past Martin.

A failure to deal with crosses has been a recurring theme in the season for Queens, and it proved especially costly this time.

The remaining 20 minutes never brought much joy to the away side. A solid defensive performance from the home team, lead by the experience of Sean Dillon, was enough to see them home. 

It could?ve gotten even worse for Queens, as a powerful Terry Masson effort struck the underside of the bar and was cleared.

The game some what tailed out from there, leaving Queens with plenty of work to do at Palmerston.

FT: Montrose 2-1 QoS

One more game to try and salvage Queens? Championship status, and progress through to the play-off final. 

Talisman Stephen Dobbie has a chance of starting on Saturday, and alongside the emergence of Connor Murray there is certainly fire-power in the forward areas for Queens. 

A win of any sort would see Queens either take the tie to extra-time or progress into the final. 

With Dobbie returning to full fitness, Johnston with a full week of training under his belt, it is a game you won?t want to miss. 

Finlay Jack