Queen of the South were unable to build on last weeks win at Cappielow as Hamilton Academical got the better of the Doonhamers 2-1.
In the only change to last weeks side Lee Connelly came in for Josh Todd as the South persisted with the back three which has proven successful on occasion this season.
However, Allan Johnston was forced into an early formation change as Hamilton began the game on top and asserted their dominance.
It only took 14 minutes for the visitors to get their first glorious chance of the game after Sol Brynn illegally picked up Wullie Gibson?s back pass.
This gave Accies an indirect free kick six yards from goal. David Moyo laid off to Andy Ryan, but the strikers shot was well blocked on the line by Roberto Nditi.
Everyone on the line
Queens quickly went to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ruari Paton moving behind the strikers, while Nditi went to right-back.
Ruben Soares Junior had Queens? first effort of the game, but his tame left-footed strike from range caused no issues for Ryan Fulton in the Accies goal.
The away side dominated possession in for virtually the entire first-half, but Brynn was rarely tested in the Queens goal.
Despite Queens seeing little of the ball it was the home side who had the best chance of the opening period on 39 minutes.
Junior picked up the ball from Connelly in the box before cutting inside past both Jamie Hamilton and Brian Easton. His shot was well saved by Fulton though and he was only able to win Queens a corner.
Junior watches as his efforts heads toward goal
From the resulting corner the ball fell at the feet of the same man but his left-footed strike flew over the bar, albeit he was under pressure from various Accies players.
In the dying embers of the opening period Hamilton won a remarkable five successive corners. And their tactics remained the same from all five, to crowd Brynn in the Queens goal and deliver the ball as close to goal line as possible.
Despite Scott McMann and Josh Mullin each delivering sublime crosses, the game remained goalless.
HT: Queens 0-0 Hamilton
A desperately poor opening 45 for Queens yet they still had, arguably, the best chance of the opening period.
The second-half needed to be better, and it was, although it took a quick set-back before Queens woke up.
Just 30 seconds in a David Moyo header from point blank range was well saved by Brynn, but it only went as far as Andy Ryan to nod home from inches out.
Ryan bundles the ball home following a fine save from Brynn
Queens did begin to play though and they hit-back just moments later through the King of Dublin, Ruari Paton.
Paton fires home
The Passion of Paton - The Ruari Roar
A cross into the box evaded everyone but Paul McKay, whose could only direct onto the bar. Paton was on hand though to tap in from six yards.
Queens? ascendency continued in the second period despite losing Ally Roy to a calf injury as Josh Todd came on.
And on 70 minutes the South came within a whisker of taking the lead. Nice work from Harry Cochrane on the edge of the area earned Queens a foul after the ex-Hearts man was downed by Ryan.
Gibson stood up and fired a low effort of the outside of the ?keepers near post.
And Queens were made to pay for missing the free-kick just four minutes later.
Substitute Lewis Smith picked up the ball 25-yards from goal after Moyo?s chest down. Smith was afforded far too much space on the edge of the area to line-up a shot and he was able to fire low into the bottom corner past the helpless Brynn.
It was against the run of play in the second-half although Queens still had 15 minutes to get back into the game.
Todd almost equalised instantly with a volley from the edge of the area but it was well held by Fulton.
That was really as good as it got for Queens though with Hamilton seeing out the game well in the Queens corner.
FT: Queens 1-2 Hamilton
A disappointing defeat in Dumfries for the South but next week is the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways as we host Lowland League side Broomhill FC.
Reminder that the game is on SUNDAY AT 2PM.
Finlay Jack