Despite creating a host of chances at a blustery Palmerston, Queen of the South weren?t able to find the back of the net in what was the South?s first draw of the season.

 

Allan Johnston named an unchanged side from last week, although Calvin McGrory, Niyah Joseph and Josh Rae returned to the bench.

 

The South started in a 3-4-1-2 formation but quickly switched to a back four after the Greenock side lined-up in similar fashion, Roberto Nditi stepped out into midfield.

 

 

The opening minutes of the game were sloppy and it was clear it would take a piece of individual quality to break the deadlock, quality that almost arrived on 14 minutes.

 

As the Doonhamers won a free-kick on the edge of the area, only one man was going to strike it, and the skipper Wullie Gibson dually stepped-up, cannoning an effort off the inside of the post. Lee Connelly got the rebound but it was well blocked by Alan Lithgow.

 

Connellys effort blocked

 

Queens missed another chance after 20 minutes when Alex Cooper delivered a wicked low cross into the area. Innes Cameron ran off of Brian McLean but somehow miscued his shot from literally inches out in a chance that looked easier to score than miss.

 

Connelly managed to get through one-on-one with Jack Hamilton on 23 minutes, but in searching for the perfect finish hit his effort too hard, sending it over the bar from a good angle.

 

Queens then hit the woodwork again as Ruben Junior glanced his a header from 12 yards onto the outside of the post, although Hamilton looked like he may have had it covered.

 

On the stroke of half-time though the visitors missed a glorious chance to go up against the run of play. A simple goalkick from Hamilton was met by a knock-on from Gavin Reilly. Robbie Muirhead got in-behind the Queens defence all too easily, but in attempting to chip Sol Brynn, fired his shot off the underside of the bar.

 

Off the bar

 

 

Not a boring half of football by any stretch of the imagination, but a half that Queens will feel they really should have ended at least a goal to the good.

 

The second 45 played much like the first with the South seeing most of the chances, albeit they were few and far between.

 

A short corner from Connelly was met by Harry Cochrane, who passed back to Connelly, only for the Queens number 10 to force Hamilton into a magnificent save with a looping effort that looked destined for the top corner.

 

A break in play for a nasty looking head injury on McLean (thankfully he was okay to continue), along with various subs, just stopped the flow a little bit.

 

But with just 12 minutes left, Gibson released a venomous strike from more than 30 yards out, forcing Jack Hamilton to almost fumble the ball over the line, although the former Hearts man collected it in the nick of time.

 

The keeper just keeps the ball safe

 

Queens were then denied what looked like a stonewall penalty on 82 minutes as Lithgow brought Junior down in the bow. Referee Andrew Dallas claimed that it was a shoulder challenge, but on second viewing it was clear that he caught him with his waist after diving in needlessly.

 

Ex-Doonhamer Gary Oliver was brought on in search for a goal, but it was a cameo I?m sure he?d hope to forget, tripping over the ball a couple times before being booked for hacking down Nditi.

 

Substitute Ben Liddle was also in Dallas? book for a soft foul on Reece Lyon.

 

 

A disappointing day in Dumfries, although much like last week, the performance level was good. Still, there?s no point creating chances if you can?t put them in the back of the net.

 

There?s little time to recuperate for the South as they?re back in action on Tuesday night at the Fountain of Youth Stadium, or New Douglas Park as most people would know it, to take on Hamilton Accies.