Well?I?m being exceptionally unfair on the Queens team, they certainly weren?t ?granted? anything this afternoon. It wasn?t a classic, but it felt like one of those games in which one team simply worked harder than the other as Lee Connelly?s fourth goal in five games ensured the points stayed at Palmerston as Queens won their first league game since February 27^th.

 

After last weeks disappointment in the Highlands, Allan Johnston made four changes. In came Alex Cooper for his first appearance in nearly three months, Harry Cochrane, Ruben Soares Junior and Innes Cameron for his debut after joining on loan from Kilmarnock during the week.

 

 

Queens shaped up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Max Johnston and Cooper the wing-backs, whilst Wullie Gibson played in the centre of midfield with Cochrane. Connelly and Junior were just off of Cameron who played as the loan striker.

 

The opening 45 was a certainly one to forget. Chances were at a premium.

 

Josh Edwards swung a cross in on two minutes that was straight at Sol Brynn, whilst Connelly had a couple of speculative efforts from range that caused Owain Fon Williams little to no problem at all.

 

Connelly with an early effort

 

Cameron was being a nuisance up front in what was a real battle between the Killie-loanee and Mark Connolly, the latter having signed for the Pars on Wednesday.

 

Cameron pressurises Connolly

 

As is par for the course, Queens? number 10 Connelly was covering every blade of plastic grass whilst Junior was left to feed off of scraps.

 

Cooper was putting in an impressive showing up and down the left, proving his fitness after a long time with no first team action.

 

 

A tough 45 minutes to watch and no doubt a tough 45 minutes to play in.

 

Neither side made a change at the break although both outfits, Queens especially, came out with a renewed energy.

 

Cooper tested the opposition on 55 minutes after being slid through by Cameron, but Welsh goalie Fon Williams was a match for his effort.

 

Kevin O?Hara met a cross into the area from Dan Pybus just minutes later but he couldn?t get the elevation off the ground to direct it under the bar.

 

With both managers sticking with their starting elevens, AJ was the first to twist, introducing Aidan Fitzpatrick for Junior on 64 minutes. Peter Grant responded by bringing on Nikolay Todorov for Craig Wighton.

 

Pars winger Kai Kennedy was looking like to only threat for the away side, constantly showing for the ball and making positive plays forward. On 72 minutes, the Rangers-loanee drove past Cochrane and Fitzpatrick, before breezing past Queens? skipper, although his shot went the wrong side of the post.

 

Cooper was summoned off on 75 minutes, presumably to protect him after going so long without any first team action, with Ben Liddle his replacement.

 

In the seven league games this season (before today) Queens had conceded after the 80^th minute on four occasions in four games.

 

And it looked like yet more late heartbreak for Queens on 81 minutes after substitute Dom Thomas drove through the midfield and played in O?Hara.

 

O?Hara slotted comfortably past Brynn, before being flagged for offside.

 

It was a warning call for Queens, although in fairness to the defence they each stood up well and O?Hara was comfortably off.

 

But just as things looked to be heading for a stalemate, up popped that man, Lee Connelly.

 

Connelly nets the winner

Connelly watches the ball head into the net

Debayo and Cameron help Connelly celebrate

 

Roberto Nditi?s 85^th minute shot was well blocked by Mark Connolly of Dunfermline, before the ball fell nicely to Queens? Connelly, who made no mistake in placing the ball in the top corner from inside the area.

 

 

Not a classic, but a goal, a clean sheet and a home league win.

 

Up to 6^th in the league for the Doonhamers now with nine points from the opening eight games, with only Ayr left to play in the first quarter.