Queens made it three wins in a row after a headed goal from defender Kevin Holt saw them claim three more vital points as they continue to battle for a place in the end of season play-offs. For long parts of the game, the home side were the dominant force, but for all of their possession and control they had during the game, it took them until the 76th minute to finally make the breakthrough. Even after the goal, Queens were thankful to `keeper Zander Clark, who made a couple of very important saves to help maintain his side`s advantage, as visitors Alloa went in search of what would have been an unexpected equaliser. The only disappointment for Queens on the day was the sight of joint top scorer, Gavin Reilly, having to leave the game early after appearing to be suffering with a hamstring injury.
Following last weekend`s outstanding cup victory over St.Johnstone, Queens made just a single change to their starting line-up, with Zander Clark being recalled in place of Jim Atkinson. Paul Burns started once again in midfield as Queens continued with a 3-4-1-2 formation, and straight from the kick-off, the home side were on the attack when in form striker, Derek Lyle tested Alloa `keeper McDowall with a shot from 12-yards. The opening period was all about Queens as they attacked Alloa from all directions especially down the right flank where Lewis Kidd was on fine form, and an early cross from the bye-line almost found Kevin Holt but defender Benedictus just managed to clear the danger. As the hosts continued on the front foot some of the link-up play and movement from the middle of the park was a delight to watch, although apart from Lyle`s first minute effort, Queens had not really threatened where it really mattered.
Lyle is foiled
The best chance of the opening quarter of the game not surprisingly fell to Queens. Lyle was fouled 30-yards from goal in a central position and when Ian McShane`s delivery broke back to Lyle, his attempted cross was blocked away for the first corner of the game. The set-piece was headed back across goal by Holt to Lyle who in turn set up a shooting opportunity for Reilly some 6-yards out, but although the young striker connected well with the ball his effort was straight at `keeper McDowall who reacted well to turn the ball away. The visitor`s `keeper was busy once again moments later this time diving to his right to push Lyle`s low shot round the post for Queens second corner of the game.
There was no let up for the under pressure Alloa defence as Queens continued to ask all the questions and good combination play involving Lyle,Burns and then Kidd led to Queens winning another corner,and from McShane`s driven ball in from the right, Lyle got ahead of his marker but could only head the ball wide of the far post. On 24 minutes Queens were awarded a free-kick a couple of yards outside the penalty area after Benedictus brought down Lyle, in what was an almost identical position to where Kevin Holt scored against Rangers 6 games ago. Unfortunately that was where the similarity ended as the expectant crowd who waited to see the ball hit the back of the net, looked on in bewilderment as Holt`s effort almost landed in Terregles Street. Not to be this time for the young Queens defender, although his moment of glory would eventually arrive. On a rare break into the Queens half, Alloa were awarded a free-kick when Andy Dowie was harshly penalised, but following Docherty`s delivery, it was Queens who almost scored. After the ball broke to Lewis Kidd in midfield he raced clear towards goal and with Reilly in support he was unable to play the ball into the striker and the chance was gone. Reilly was again involved in the action soon afterwards but his shot was hit straight at McDowall.
Holt sends the free kick towards goal
Unfortunately for Reilly and Queens, on 35 minutes the club`s joint top scorer pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, and he was replaced by Iain Russell. The substitute was soon involved in the action, getting on the end of another excellent cross from Kidd and powering a header just inches over the bar. Minutes before the interval Queens were awarded a free-kick just inside the Alloa half, and once again it was the attacking team who were almost caught out by the opposition counter attacking. McShane`s ball into the box was easily repelled by Meggatt which set Alloa moving forward, and after receiving the ball and then cutting inside, Cawley`s effort was really quite poor as he failed to test Clark with his shot.
Reilly feels the pain
So it was a frustrating first half for Queens who had dominated possession, but had nothing to show for their efforts.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-0 ALLOA
Attacking the Portland Drive end of the ground in the second period, Queens were quickly into their stride, and good link up play between Lyle and Kidd set up an opportunity for Russell, but the substitute was off the mark with his shot. More good work from Kidd on the right wing saw another cross deflected for the first corner of the half for Queens, but once again the visitors defence stood firm and the hosts still could not find a way through. The first yellow card of the game was shown to Benedictus for a foul on Russell, and yet again Queens set-piece delivery was easily dealt with, as this time McDowall claimed a comfortable catch.
Mark Durnan almost caused panic amongst the home support in the crowd of 1673 after dribbling his way out of defence he inexplicably passed straight to Layne, but fortunately for all of a Queens persuasion, Andy Dowie recovered well to make a timely challenge. Ian McShane was then booked following a foul on Holmes in midfield, not for the foul itself, but for showing dissent to referee Charleston over the award of the free-kick. Queens most threatening form of attack was once again coming from set-plays, and after winning another corner, they came very close to breaking the deadlock. Once again McShane`s delivery was deep and when Durnan headed the ball back across goal, Russell turned and shot from close range but was unable to keep the ball down.
Queens made their second change of the game when Mark Millar replaced the tiring Paul Burns just past the hour mark,and the substitute was involved straight away as he linked well with Kidd who picked out the unmarked Lyle, but his free header was well wide of the target. It was another really good opportunity for Queens as they continued to apply more pressure on the Alloa defence.
On a rare break into the Queens half, Layne was not far away from giving the visitors what would have been an unexpected lead, and as they at last began to grow in confidence, Alloa slowly got themselves more involved in the game. In fact it was only thanks to a brilliant reflex save from Zander Clark, who denied Docherty from close range, that stopped the visitors from going in front. Kevin Holt became the second Queens player to be cautioned as he pulled back Roberts as he threatened to break clear down the Alloa right.
Clark makes a superb stop to deny a goal
With 15 minutes left Queens made their final change with Danny Carmichael replacing Michael Paton, and just ninety-seconds later, Carmichael had an assist and Queens had grabbed the lead. The build up to the goal came once again from the right, and once again the impressive Kidd was involved. Another accurate cross in to the area from Kidd was deflected for corner number 9, and when the initial kick went straight back out to McShane, his lay off into the path of Carmichael and with his first touch of the game the substitute floated the ball back into the crowded penalty area where Kevin Holt rose high above everyone to glance a header into the bottom corner of McDowall`s net.
Holt heads the winning goal
Celebration time
Made in Dumfries
The goal was a huge relief for Queens, and although there was only fourteen minutes left, the points were far from secured and Queens were thankful once more to Clark who reacted really well to keep out Docherty`s close range shot. As the game moved into it`s final ten minutes, the hosts almost made sure of the win when they launched a counter attack with pace and precision. After winning the ball inside his own area Iain Russell played the ball to Carmichael midway inside the Queens half, and the provider of the goal moved forward before picking out the supporting run of Russell who in turn chipped the ball on to the head of the onrushing Kidd, but unfortunately he was not quite able to keep his header on target. It was a shame for Kidd as he had had a very decent game.
Although Carmichael had been on the field for less than fifteen minutes, he was showing some delightful touches, and after skipping past Benedictus on the left, all the Alloa defender could do was bring him crashing to the ground which earned him a second yellow card for the challenge. He was followed into the dressing room by Alloa boss, Barry Smith, seemingly for speaking out of turn to the assistant referee on the touchline.
The final whistle was greeted with a huge sigh of relief by the Palmerston faithful as coupled with defeat for Rangers, and points dropped for Falkirk, the outcome for Queens eventually turned out to be good. Lewis Kidd was named as sponsors man of the match, and the vital contributions of goalscorer, Kevin Holt, and goalkeeper, Zander Clark were also hugely significant as Queens keep up their play-off challenge.