Two goals in an eight minute period either side of half-time were the platform for Queens to gain a vital victory in their battle to maintain their Championship status, and although visitors Dunfermline pulled a goal back very late in the game, this was a very comfortable win for Queens and from the moment they made the breakthrough just before the interval the win looked to be assured.
Match photo gallery here.
Gary Naysmith made two changes to the team that started at Alloa, giving a debut to `keeper Deniz Mehmet, and handing a starting role to Connor Murray, who made just his second league start of the campaign.
Before kick-off there was a minutes silence as former Queens player Ivor Broadis was remembered.
On a very warm Easter Saturday referee Steven Reid got proceedings underway, and for Queens, in desperate need of three points the omens were good as referee Reid had taken charge of three previous games involving Queens this season, all of which had resulted in wins - including our victory at East End Park back in October of last year. Starting with a 4-4-2 formation was quite usual to see for Queens, but less usual was seeing Connor Murray partnering Lyndon Dykes up front but as the game developed, Murray slotted into the role quite confidentially and in the opening minute he found himself with a sight of goal, but he mis-hit his shot that ended well off target.
VIPs today
Queens continued on the front foot and when Iain Wilson, and Jordan Marshall created a chance for a cross, Marshall`s low ball across goal was smuggled clear by the already under pressure Dunfermline defence. A break at pace from Andy Stirling took him into the heart of the visitors defence but instead of trying his luck he attempted to reach the byeline and unfortunately was unable to keep his cross in play.
Dunfermline`s first foray into the Queens half ended when a Craigen shot on the half volley saw Deniz Mehmet make a very comfortable save after being called into action for the first time in the game.
After 15 minutes, Queens produced a fine flowing move involving Scott Mercer, Kyle Jacobs and Jordan Marshall that ended with Dunfermline `keeper Scully pulling off an excellent save to keep out Connor Murray`s powerful header, and almost straight away a quick break from the visitors saw Queens debutant `keeper Mehmet palm away a low cross shot from Louis Longridge.
Mehmet pushes away an early effort
After being on top for the opening period, the next few minutes saw the visitors have their best spell of possession, but apart from an effort from El- Bakhtaoui that flew over the bar, they were not able to put the Queens defence under any real pressure.
An injury to Scott Mercer led to an impromptu water break as both sets of players were keen to replenish the liquids on what was a very warm afternoon and just when it seemed as the though the half would end all square, Queens gained a big advantage. Connor Murray won a corner that was only half cleared and when the ball eventually landed at the feet of Iain Wilson,the midfielder showed good strength and composure before drilling the ball low into the bottom corner to give Queens a priceless and well deserved interval lead. The only negative for Queens in what was a very good first half was the booking of Murray for a rash challenge a minute or so after the goal.
Wilson fires home from the edge of the box
Maguire congratulates Wilson on his goal
HALF-TIME QUEENS 1-0 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC
Boosted by the goal, Queens started the second half on the front foot and an early left wing cross from Lyndon Dykes was just gathered by `keeper Scully as Josh Todd looked to pounce, and as Queens searched eagerly for the goal that would give them some breathing space, a neat turn by Dykes created a chance for Todd who saw his shot deflected wide for a corner that ended with Kyle Jacobs sending a header well over the bar.
Queens were forced into an early change as Scott Mercer failed to shrug off his earlier injury, the change saw Darren Brownlie replace him with Mikey Doyle moving to the right back spot.The change didn`t cause any problems for Queens as quite frankly, Dunfermline were very average especially as an attacking force and their performance would have been disappointing to watch for the 250 or so visiting fans. Their disappointment would have deepened minutes later when Queens added a second goal and virtually sealed the win as Josh Todd curled in a delightful shot from just inside the penalty area.
Todd curls home the second
Naysmith celebrates the goal
Queens were well in control and could easily have added further goals as efforts from Jacobs and Stirling both went close to increasing the lead, and Dykes was only inches away from getting on to a long ball as he was only just beaten by the onrushing `keeper. Quite clearly Queens were better all over the park, and with the energy of Wilson, the craft of Todd, and the determination of Doyle all rubbing off on their team-mates, Queens on the day were much better than their visitors.
Queens were forced into making another change with 10 minutes to go when an injury to Barry Maguire led to him being replaced by Callum Fordyce, and for the final few minutes Nicky Low returned to the team for the first time in 9 games as he became a late substitute for a tiring Connor Murray.
Mehmet makes a great stop to deny Dunfermline
With the game well into stoppage time what would have been a morale boosting clean sheet for Queens was snatched from them when a corner was flicked on and headed in at the far post by Jackson Longridge, and although the result might have suggested a close encounter, this victory - only their 5th league win at Palmerston this season - was very comfortable for Queens, and bearing in mind other results today, a vital one at that. Sponsors named their man of the match as Iain Wilson and those of a blue persuasion in the crowd of 1704 would certainly echo their views as his `box to box` performance coupled with the all important first goal certainly made him the game`s best player.