Queens first ever visit to Kelty Hearts ended in a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat that leaves the team sitting above their hosts only on goal difference in 7th spot.
After the entertaining 3-3 draw with Airdrie on Saturday it was more or less same again for the squad.with the same 20 players stripped and only one change in the starting eleven, Ruari Paton returning instead of Michael Ruth. The hosts fielded a strong looking side with plenty of Championship experience, including a couple of former Doonhamers in Nicky Low and Darren Lyon.
Queens started fairly brightly. knocking the ball about well and taking the game to their opponents without seriously troubling former Livi and Arbroath keeper Darren Jamieson in the home goal. An early effort from left back Stephen Hendrie was deflected wide and midway through the half, Harry Cochrane went close to repeating his strike from Saturday from outside the box but this one went over the crossbar sadly. It was half an hour before the home side really threatened, initially when Agyeman headed over from a Tidser cross but a few minutes later it was captain Michael Tidser who opened the scoring. Nicky Low was the architext, winning possession from Iain Wilson and sending a ball forward. Though it was part cleared, it was met from the edge of the box with Tider`s low strike into the bottom left corner of the net beyond Fox`s despairing dive.
Rather than stir Queens into further life, the strike, which was a little against the run of play seemed to drain the life from the side and we offered little else in the first half other than a poor Ruari Paton challenge which rightly saw him booked.
Early in the second period Queens should have equalised. Ciaran McKenna was the architect this time, storming down the right side and cutting a ball back into the box where Lee Connelly was waiting in space from about 10 yards out. However, the talented striker snatched at the chance and swept it well over the bar. It was to be his final contribution as he was soon replaced with Connor Murray. At the same time Calvin McGrory replaced Cochrane and manager Gibson juggled the pack but maintained the shape. This was Queens best period of the game and Reilly lifted another chance over before Kelty sub Cameron Logan narrowly avoided an own goal at his back post, instead smuggling the ball out for a corner kick.
With about 20 minutes to go Queens threw on Ewan Bange in place of Paton in the hope the on loan Blackpool striker could use his height to get on the end of something. Soon after Euan East went down with an injury which necessitated a bit of a reshuffle. On came Rico Quitongo and, at the same time, Lewis Gibson repleced Wilson as Queens effectively moved to a 3-5-2 with Hendrie and McKenna moving into the backline and Quitongo and Gibson acting as wing backs. In the final minute Queens hd two further chances to equalise. Firstly McGrory`s near post low corner was very nearly flicked into the net at the near post but instead flew across the face of goal. When the ball came back in from the right side it was met by a Bange header that drifted narrowly wide of target.
Kelty held on though and claimed a vital win. Queens probably had the better of the chances but failed to trouble Darren Jamieson seriously all night. Kelty offered less to the game but always looked dangerous on the break, especially when the pacy Agyeman had the ball and they scored a fine strike from Tidser. A lesson in taking opportunities when they come. We will have to bounce back quickly now for the visit of Peterhead to Palmerston on Saturday.