There was major doubts if the match would take place due to the heavy rainfall during the week and the lasting impact of the Beast of the East but miraculously the Dumbarton groundsmen did a tremendous job to get the pitch in a reasonable condition.

 

Naysmith admires the work of the Dumbarton groundstaff

 

Gary Naysmith made three changes from our goalless draw against Dunfermline. The most notable return was Derek Lyle, his first start since November, to partner ex-Sons hitman Stephen Dobbie up front. Right back Scott Mercer and Joe Thomson replaced Shaun Rooney and captain John Rankin.

 

In the Dumbarton`s ranks were three former Doonhamers. Popular forward Iain Russell, midfielder Kyle Hutton and stopper Andy Dowie all started for the Irn-Bru Cup finalists. 

 

The visitors started the brighter and had the first shot on goal in the opening minutes of play. Dobbie did well to outsmart his marker on the edge of the box but his shot took a deflection off a Sons defender and was stopped comfortably by Scott Gallacher.

 

Naysmith`s men looked to have settled well into the tough conditions as they created another opportunity to test Gallacher. Dobbie`s  superb diagonal went over the head of the defence into the path of Lyndon Dykes but as the wide man controlled the ball he lost his footing on the soft surface and couldn`t get his attempt away.

 

Only seconds later Queens had another chance to take the lead this time through the returning Lyle but again his effort was collected by the keeper. Gallacher was soon in action again as he stabbed away a long range Dobbie strike. 

 

Next up to trouble Gallacher was from Mercer when his cross-come-shot from the right was tipped out for a corner

 

Mercers effort is touched away by Gallacher

 

On 11 minutes on the clock Queens did the ball in the back of the net but as fans were celebrating, referee Finnie ruled out Kyle Jacobs` close range goal. The midfielder was deemed to have handled the ball in the area.

 

Jacobs received a booking for his punched goal

 

Stevie Aitken`s side finally got into the match through ex-Hibs man Danny Handling but his 25-yard effort flashed wide of Jack Leighfield`s right-hand post.

 

On 26 minutes the great chances for Dumbarton continued but thankfully Leighfield made a superb save from Kevin Nisbet. The rebound fell to ex-Stranraer left back Liam Dick and his shot from six yards was cleared off the line by Darren Brownlie.

 

Leighfield makes a great save

 

The hosts continued to pepper the Queens box but were wasteful with another opportunity following a breakaway that saw three Sons attackers against two defenders. Handling was the one who ballooned a chance from close range.

 

HALF TIME SONS 0-0 QOS

 

The half time whistle came at the right time for the visitors and they used it to their advantage by getting out of the blocks quickly. Thomas was fouled just outside the area and lined up to take the free-kick.

 

The on-loan Kilmarnock winger hit a powerful free-kick and found its way into the bottom corner of the net to the delight of the travelling Doonhamers.

 

Thomas strikes the free kick.........

......beats Gallacher and ............

celebrates

 

It could`ve been two goals in a matter of minutes for the visitors when Dobbie chipped Gallacher from the edge of the box but his effort bounced off the bar and out of play.

 

On 65 minutes Dumbarton had a golden chance to equalise when Handling`s free-kick hit the wall and the referee pointed to the spot. The ref deemed Dobbie to have handled the ball and booked the stand-in Queens captain.

 

Penalty awarded as the ball hits Dobbies arm from the free kick

A penalty kick that Nisbit will have nightmares about.

 

It was Nisbet who took the responsibility of taking the penalty kick but he hit his attempt over the bar and on the left hand side. It really was one of the worst spot-kicks all of time. 

 

The Sons continued to press and Leighfield made a few superb saves to deny Dumbarton`s advances.

 

The game continued to move end to end  but neither side was able to add to the score sheet, in spite of another strong but unheeded Sons penalty shout near the end.

 

In added time substitute Nikolay Todorov was through on goal but his tame effort was saved by the keeper.

 

Queens held on to their victory and are now right back in play-off contention. Queens host Dundee United on Tuesday night.

 

FULL TIME SONS 0-1 QOS