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Queens remain at the bottom of the league tonight after losing 2-0 to, relegation rivals, Dunfermline.

Allan Johnston made three changes to the lineup, including giving debuts to new signings Darragh O`Connor and Sam Folarin. Ally Roy also came into the team, with AJ able to name nine subs at Palmerston.

Queens began the second half slowly, with the visitors dictating proceedings.

Ryan Dow had the ball in the net on 14 minutes, rising above Roberto Nditi and nodding home a cross, only for Greg Aitken to rule it out as Dow`s hands were clearly on the back of the Queens man.

Martin uses Nditi to climb above the defence for a disallowed goal

The Doonhamers never took note of the warning though, and seven minutes later (21), were a goal down. A cross from architect Dow found its way to Graham Dorrans, 12 yards from goal, to head home past a helpless Josh Rae.

Dorrans heads home

And only seven more minutes later (28), one became two. A corner into the box was punched as far as the edge of the area by Rae, into the path of Dan Pybus, who powered home from 18 yards, via a deflection.

Pybus fires home

The South then had Rae and O`Connor to thank for keeping it at only 2-0, after Rae saved a Dow effort from inside the area, with O`Connor blocking the rebound on the line.

HT: Queens 0-2 Dunfermline

Three changes were made at half-time by the gaffer, with Josh Todd, Ruari Paton and Ben Liddle replacing Roy, Folarin and Nditi.

And there`s no doubt that Queens imporved in the second 45, albeit it wasn`t enough to salvage anything from the game.

Gordon tries an acrobatic effort

Paton saw a header from close range roll wide after he slipped at the key moment, before Wullie Gibson struck a powerful volley over the bar from range.

Shea Gordon almost inadvertantly pulled one back on 67 minutes, however. His cross to Paton was deflected by Lewis Martin, only for the deflection to roll millimetres wide of Owain Fon-Williams`s post, denying Queens a goal back.

The Pars began to sit deeper after this, defending astutely, as Queens struggled to break them down.

A last minute Euan East shot flew over the bar, with the South unable to test Fon Williams in the dying stages of the game.

FT: Queens 0-2 Dunfermline

A first-half to forget, however an improved second period will give Queens hope of a result in Kirkcaldy on Tuesday, against a side that we`ve took four, from a possible six, points off of this season.

Finlay Jack