There was no shortage of entertainment in Dundee as Queens won by the odd goal in five to continue their fine form in 2021. An Ayo Obileye penalty and a Rhys Breen header fired Queens into a two goal lead at the break. Jason Cummings pulled one back for the hosts, before Willie Gibson scored a wondergoal. Jordan Marshall scored a second for Dundee but in came in vain as Queens took the three points back to Dumfries.

 

 

Allan Johnston made just the one change to the side that got a result in Inverness on Wednesday with Niyah Joseph replacing Stephen Dobbie in the starting line-up. There were returns to the bench for both Rhys McCabe and Aidan Fitzpatrick while Tommy Goss failed a late fitness test in Dumfries.

 

It was Dundee?s first game for 19 days following a series of postponements. The Dark Blues lined-up with a dangerous looking front three featuring Osman Sown, Jason Cummings and Paul McMullan while skipper Charlie Adam started in central midfield.

 

It was fairly obvious that Dundee were lacking match sharpness in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

 

And it only took Queens two minutes to capitalise as some excellent link-up play between Joseph and Isaiah Jones ended in Lee Ashcroft downing the Middlesborough loanee in the area. Step up the coolest man on the planet, Ayo Obileye, to tuck his effort away for his sixth goal of the season.

Jones is brought down in the box in the first minute

Obileye nets from the spot

Obileye celebrates his strike

 

Joseph?s link-up play was a feature of a superb opening 45 for the Doonhamers with the youngster enjoying playing as the lone striker.

Joseph enjoyed his role

 

It took Dundee about 20 minutes to grow into the game, albeit they had regular corners that were well defended by the Doonhamers throughout.

 

McMullan put in a wicked low cross after 26 minutes into a busy Queens penalty area but it missed everyone, before Calvin McGrory cleared.

 

Adam had his first shot on goal after half an hour, firing well over from the edge of the area.

 

Things went from good to great for the Doonhamers not long after though, as Rhys Breen doubled the South?s lead on 36 minutes.

Breen heads home number two

Breen celebrates his goal with Joseph

 

A dangerous cross from Euan East picked out the Rangers loanee in the area, his header struck the post before going in. It looked like it may have taken a touch from Jack Hamilton in the Dundee goal on its way to the net, but we?re giving Breen his first goal for the Doonhamers.

 

Dangerman Cummings was pretty much a spectator in the opening 45, although he fired well wide from the edge of the box after 38 minutes.

 

 

A sublime first-half performance from the South but on a heavy pitch, after Wednesday?s exploits in Inverness, it was set to be a tricky second-half for the away team.

 

And the hosts really should have had one back after 51 minutes as Cammy Kerr delivered a brilliant cross into the area, only for half-time sub Danny Mullen to miss an open goal from six yards.

One for Danny Mullen to forget

 

The Dark Blues wouldn?t be ruing that miss for much longer though as Jason Cummings pulled one back seconds later.

Cummings knocks the ball over Ferguson and into the net

 

After a latching onto a ball behind the Queens defence, Cummings dinked Ferguson in the Queens goal. Gregor Buchanan made a valiant effort to prevent the ball from crossing the line but he was too late.

 

Dundee then had the ball in the net again, this time after 62 minutes. A penalty area scrummage ended with Sow tapping in from close range, however referee Barry Cook blew for a foul in and amongst the ball going into the net to keep things level.

Ferguson has the ball under control

 

Whilst the hosts were pressing for an equaliser, Queens were relying on the counter attack. However a brilliant run down the right by the evergreen Gibson presented an opportunity. But the full-back was only able to fire over the bar from the right hand side of the area.

 

McCabe made his return to the action for the first time in two weeks, replacing McGrory after 67 minutes.

 

Not long after, Dobbie was brought on for Joseph in an attempt to see the game out.

 

Despite being under the cosh for large periods in the second half, some magic from an unlikely source doubled Queens? lead.

 

Mounting a counter on the right-hand side, Willie Gibson cut inside on to his ?weaker? left-foot, before firing an unstoppable strike from 25 yards into the top corner. It really was a goal worthy of winning any game - if it was only that easy?

Gibson slams in a long range effort

Gibson celebrates his long range strike with a knowing nod

 

Just four minutes later on 82, the deficit was reduced again to a solitary goal. It was the familiar face of Jordan Marshall who netted for the home team after getting his head on the end of a McMullan cross.

Marshall heads home to make it 3-2

 

The hosts continued to probe away at Queens? defence who were showing superb fitness levels given the heavy pitch in Dundee.

 

With so much possession though the home team were always going to create chances. Mullen?s cross after 88 minutes evaded everyone in the box. Thankfully for Queens, it flew whiskers wide of the post to protect their slender lead.

 

Cummings went even closer though, his volley from six yards flying over the bar via a Buchanan deflection.

 

The Doonhamers continued to defend with absolutely everything. Obileye had very much came out of his midfield role becoming a third centre back.

 

There was to be no way through the stubborn Queens defence though as Queens made it back-to-back away victories.

 

 

Another tremendous performance on the road for the South who continue to impress in 2021.

 

There?s a top four clash next week at Palmerston as Dunfermline visit Dumfries.