Queens started the new year the same way they ended 2020, with another hard fought win. This time Ayr United were the visitors, and despite going ahead after seven minutes and equalising at the death, left Palmerston empty handed. Ayo Obileye bagged a first-half penalty before Connor Shields continued his fine form with a brace, including a 91^st minute winner as United?s wait for a win in Dumfries stretches to 19 years.

 

 

Rohan Ferguson was the only change from Tuesday?s side that won in Kirkcaldy, coming in for Charlie Cowie who dropped to the bench. Queens continued in their 4-2-3-1 formation with Shields leading the line, while Dan Pybus played in-behind him.

 

The first-half was very much a cagey affair, with neither side able to gain much control over the game, despite three goals being scored.

 

The first real chance of the game yielded the first goal of the game after good work down the right-hand side from Ayr ended in a powerful volley from Patrick Reading, his first goal for the club, finding the back of the net from 12-yards. It was a poor goal for Queens to concede with Reading allowed a free run at the ball, however there was a positive reaction from the Doonhamers.

 

Reading turns away after opening the scoring 

 

The hosts grew into the game with Joe McKee and Rhys McCabe getting on the ball in the middle of the park more often, albeit finding it hard to break down the Ayr rear-guard. The away side had two clear banks of four, making it hard for Queens to find a way through to create any clear chances.

 

The home side were perhaps lucky not to find themselves two down after Euan East seemed to, unintentionally, handle the ball in the area. Nonetheless, it went unspotted by referee Greg Aitken or his assistants.

 

Ferguson was forced into his first good save of the game after 24 minutes, a low one at his near post to deny the impressive Luke McCowan.

 

Ferguson makes an important sto

 

Queens were handed a lifeline after 29 minutes when McKee?s shot was clearly blocked by the arm of Michael Miller to hand the South a penalty. In the absence of Stephen Dobbie, up-stepped the coolest man on the pitch in Ayo Obileye to send Viljami Sinisalo the wrong way and draw Queens level.

 

Obileye confidently strokes home the penalty

Wrong way for the keeper

 

The game was only level for three minutes though, when Connor Shields scored a certain goal of the season contender. The in-form striker picked up the ball in his own half from a Gregor Buchanan clearance, before beating Andy Murdoch (who incidentally tried to bring him down on the run). He cut inside in the penalty area and fired a low effort past Sinisalo to hand Queens the lead. It was a sublime goal by a player in real goalscoring form at the minute, and he was not done for the day just yet?

 

Shields slams home his first

 

Sam Roscoe picked up a late booking for a challenge on Shields, joining Miller in the book who was cautioned for the penalty.

 

 

There wasn?t much between the sides in the opening period, but Queens went in at the break a goal to good after going down early on.

 

The second got underway with Michael Moffat replacing the largely anonymous Tom Walsh after 48 minutes.

 

Queens should have doubled their lead on 57 minutes, when an utterly sublime McKee pass was controlled well by Shields, only for him to put his effort wide of Sinisalo?s goal.

 

Dangerman Moffat was the next man to try his luck, getting on the end of a quick free-kick, only for his effort to roll the wrong side of the post.

 

Ferguson was called into action again after 78 minutes to deny a Roscoe header, before McKee found Shields with another pinpoint pass, only for Sinisalo to make a brilliant save low to his left to deny Queens a third.

 

A superb save from Ferguson to deny Roscoe

 

The hosts really should have been level after 84 minutes though, when McCowan shot at Ferguson from 18-yards, only for the ?keeper to parry his effort away. Moffat got on the rebound, but Buchanan was there to take one in the stomach to keep the scores level.

 

Whilst they should have scored there, they did score right at the death. It was another ?pinball? moment in the Queens area, the ball this time falling to Cammy Smith to fire home from 12-yards, albeit with the help of a deflection.

 

Miller deflect the effort from Smith onto the net to equalise in the 90th minute

 

It was a real blow for Queens who had held on well thus far. Nonetheless, much to the credit on the team, Queens kept at it and showed real character to get back ahead.

 

It was the first minute of injury time, Dan Pybus played a magnificent ball into the path of Connor Shields. Shields used his power to get through on goal before firing past Sinisalo at the Finnish ?keepers far post. Cue manic celebrations as everyone ran over to celebrate with Shields, who looked absolutely knackered after winning all three points for his side.

 

Shields picks his spot in the far corner and wins the game

Shields celebrates his late, late winner

 

With only seconds left, Aitken blew his whistle for the final time, giving Queens the spoils.

 

 

A gutsy performance from the Doonhamers who, for the second game running, showed real character and desire in picking up all three points. It was the perfect start to 2021 and believe it or not moves us just five points from the top four.

 

Next up for Queens it?s a trip to Hampden on Friday night to take on Queens Park in Scottish Cup action. The game is 7.45 kick-off and is shown live on BBC Scotland.