Stenhousemuir were the visitors for our first game at Palmerston since the beginning of November. And as he prepared to host the league leaders, Manager, Peter Murphy made two changes to the side that started against Arbroath last week with Brennan Dickenson and Kyle Doherty coming in for Leighton McIntosh and Jack Brydon.
It was a positive start from the home side and in the opening minutes Oscar MacIntyre crossed from the left and as Dickenson knocked the ball back down for Adam Brooks at the back post, but the frontmans half chance was just wide. A minute later he was in again but this time his effort was turned out for a corner.
The threat continued and a brilliant pass by Reece Lyon set up Brooks, the striker tried to beat the keeper to his right, but Darren Jamieson got a touch on it to knock out.
The pressure paid off with twelve minutes on the clock when Lyon got on the end of it at the edge of the box and drilled a right foot volley low into the bottom corner.
It was no more than Queens deserved and as the maintained the drive forward, Doherty did well to find Dickenson and somehow unsighted and with his back to goal he managed to turn to hit a tremendous shot that crashed off the junction of the crossbar.
Doherty again delivered a beautiful ball into the box but this time it was just out of reach of Lewis ODonnell and didnt fall for Brooks.
It was an enjoyable first half and with the final real effort before the break Brooks aimed for the top corner, but his right foot effort just cleared the bar.
HALF TIME Queens 1 Stenhousemuir 0
Ten minutes into the second half, Mikey Hewitt hit a snapshot wide of the upright, but Queens doubled their lead just before the hour mark with a magic goal. Dickenson skipped away from Gregor Buchanan on the wing before taking off towards goal, his perfect ball across the box was met by a perfect run by Brooks who on his home debut swept the ball into the net.
Three minutes later the duo combined again but this time, Jamieson saved Brooks effort.
Midway through the second half, the visitors were awarded a debatable free kick, Matt Yates set piece was well saved by Ross Stewart but as he pushed it away it was still in play and Corey ODonnell reacted quickest to score with the rebound.
The goal gave The Warriors a lift and installed panic into Queens, but Stewart collected as Ross Taylor hit a right foot shot from distance.
Queens did try to restore their advantage and when MacIntyre made his way to the byline to cross for Dickenson, he controlled the ball well on his chest before firing a powerful left foot shot over the bar.
As Stenny pushed again, Jack Hannah made a well-timed challenge to stop ODonnell and as they piled on the pressure Hewitt blocked at the edge of the box and in stoppage time Kyle Banner fired over.
FULL TIME Queens 2 Stenhousemuir 1