Queens had to overcome a dodgy pitch and a team fighting relegation to snatch a point from Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

Jim McIntyre blasted the surface as ‘shocking’ in his post-match interview and the Doonhamers boss believes the game – as well as his players – suffered due to the pitch.

He said: “It wasn’t a match for supporters to see any silky stuff because it’s impossible to play football on that surface.

“I don’t like having a go at other team’s pitches but that’s a disgrace for a professional football pitch.

“There were in-fills all over the pitch like you would get at a golf course – it was not befitting of a professional standard.

“Gavin Reilly has come on and rolled his ankle and unfortunately that rules him out for the play-offs too so it’s been a disappointing day on that front.

“We had Chris Mitchell roll his ankle too just warming up at half-time! He’ll be fine for the play-offs but Gavin Reilly has no chance, his ankle is up like a balloon.”

However, McIntyre was keen to praise his players for doing the best they could on a poor surface at Central Park.

The Gaffer made seven changes to the side that beat Livingston a week earlier and, going in to the play-offs, it was a chance for players to earn their chance in the side.

He said: “I’ve got to give great credit to the players for coming back, I felt we deserved a draw at least.

“We made a few changes today but we still had a strong side out and I’m delighted to get a point.

“For the goal, Bob McHugh got the last touch and scored and that was great for him because he put in some shift all day.

“There wasn’t many chances for either side, Hemmings had one just before the one he scored, we’ve had the one off the post from the corner and Bob McHugh has had a wee half chance which he put over the bar – I think a point is a fair result.”

Meanwhile, Cowdenbeath boss Jimmy Nicholl was left to pick up the pieces as his side face a fight to stay in the Championship.

He sighed: “Football can be a cruel game at times but we’ll get the players picked up and do it the hard way.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome, does it feel like losing cup finals? It does in a way because everyone’s future is safe and they’re looking forward to next year and then we lose a goal.”

The play-offs beckon for both sides now and thankfully for Queens they are involved at the top end of the table – facing Falkirk at Palmerston on Tuesday night in the first of two legs.

With the chance to play in the Premiership at stake, the following month could be the biggest in Queen of the South’s history.

• You can read this weekend`s match report here: http://www.qosfc.com/new_report.aspx?fixtureid=864#tabreport