After a first-half to forget, Queens are Arbroath served up a delightful second-half with four goals, albeit it could have been more. A quickfire Connor Shields brace was cancelled out by an even quicker pair of goals scored by Scott Stewart and Thomas O?Brien.

 

There were no surprises in the team selection from Allan Johnston, naming the same side that got the better of Ayr and Queens Park. The talking points came from the bench that saw Stephen Dobbie return to the matchday squad for the first time in four weeks. Harry Robinson and Connor Cowie also appeared among the substitutes after being absent at Hampden.

 

The visitors handed debuts to Jake Davidson and Ben Williamson, with the experienced Kris Doolan leading the line.

 

The opening 45 was largely forgettable for both sets of supporters. Arbroath, who played a narrow midfield, were marginally getting the better of Queens? midfield trio of Joe McKee, Rhys McCabe and Dan Pybus, although it was competitive for the entire game.

 

Williamson had the first shot on target of the game, a tame effort straight at Ferguson who made a comfortable save.

 

The visitors had one or two shouts at penalties as James Craigen and Dale Hilson went down under challenges, although both would have been incredibly soft.

 

The only real talking point came after 34 minutes when Ayo Obileye miscued a clearing header such was the gusty wind at Palmerston, leaving Doolan one on one with Ferguson. The veteran striker was unlike his usual self though, lacking composure to put it past Ferguson, volleying well wide.

 

 

Thankfully, the second-half was more exciting than the first and it only took 13 seconds for their to be a goal.

 

A long, searching pass from Gregor Buchanan found Aidan Fitzpatrick on the left-wing. Fitzpatrick delivered a perfect low cross across the six-yard box for Connor Shields to get on the end of.

 

Shileds nets

Shields celebrates his first

 

 

It was Queens first real chance of the game and Fitzpatrick?s first chance to show what he can do with ball at feet in the game.

 

And the wideman continued to probe, getting his second assist of the day after 52 minutes. After countering quickly he played in Connor Shields who drove at the Arbroath defence, before firing high into the net past Derek Gaston. It was an unstoppable effort from the in-form front man, who made it a remarkable seven goals in just five games since Boxing Day.

 

Shields slams home his second

Number two celebration

 

Dick Campbell turned to his bench after the goal, bringing on Stewart at right-back for Mark Whatley, who was caught out by Fitzpatrick both times for the goal.

 

Queens should have made it three soon after though as Fitzpatrick got in-behind the Arbroath defence, although his shot was saved by Gaston. The winger had Pybus through the middle to square it to, however he opted to go alone.

 

The hosts were handed their first warning after 55 minutes when David Gold held off James Maxwell well in the area, although he saw his shot terrifically saved by Rohan Ferguson in the Queens goal.

 

The warning wasn?t enough for Queens though as they pulled one back. A miscued Rhys McCabe clearance fell to Scott Stewart in the box. The substitute made no mistake of firing into the bottom corner to give the Lichties a lifeline.

Stewart strikes for the visitors

 

And just two minutes later, 65, their comeback was complete. It was a poor goal really for Queens to concede as Bobby Linn?s corner was nodded home at the back post by skipper Thomas O?Brien.

OBrian heads the equaliser

 

In truth, since Queens were two to the good, the away team really were the better of the two sides. They continued to plug away after the goal too.

 

AJ made his first (and only) change with about 15 minutes left, with McKee being placed by the returning Dobbie for his first appearance since the 19^th of December.

 

Despite the game being finely poised for the final 15 minutes, the defences very much reigned supreme. Neither side was content with a point as the game was very much end-to-end, but like the opening period there was a lack of cutting edge in the final third.

 

 

A point apiece was probably a fair result on the balance of thigs, but it will no doubt feel like a defeat and two points dropped for the Doonhamers who blew a two goal lead in quick fashion.

 

Nonetheless, it?s now four games undefeated for Queens (three in the league) and with Morton, who sit just five points ahead of Queens, visiting Palmerston next Saturday, Queens will be looking to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.