Queens were unfortunate to find Jamie MacDonald on inspired form in Dumfries as a much improved South were held to a draw by pre-game favourites Raith Rovers.

 

 

After a couple of below par performances, Allan Johnston rang the changes, bringing in Calvin McGrory, Ben Liddle and Innes Cameron from last weeks thumping at Rugby Park.

There were also a few tactical changes in there, with Queens resorting to a 4-1-4-1 formation, the main surprise being Max Johnston lining-up next to Liddle in the middle of the second four. Ruari Paton and Lee Connelly were the wide men, supporting Cameron, whilst Roberto Nditi lined-up at left-back with Alex Cooper left on the bench.

 

 

 

After two performances that left fans frustrated, the South couldnt really have asked for a more positive start to the game.

Johnston Jr wad revelling in his midfield role and delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Paton after less than two minutes, but the Dubliner watched his header be parried wide by MacDonald.

Not long after, it was Camerons turn to watch his header from a Johnston cross be saved by MacDonald, before the big striker was denied again from a corner by the same man.

Paton then missed what was Queens best chance of the opening half after Johnston put a lovely ball into the path of Cameron on the wide right. The Killie loanee then squared perfectly for Paton, but he could only knock the ball narrowly wide of the target from six yards out.

All of these chances, which could quite easily have led to goals, happening within the opening 15 minutes of the game.

Connelly delivered another wicked cross into the box after 23 minutes whilst Queens countered, though it was literally inches away from connecting with the boot of Paton who had an open net to aim at.

Rovers began to get going after this and Queens had Sol Brynn to thank for keeping them at bay after Aidan Connelly got in behind Paul McKay and Wullie Gibson, but the shot stopped was rapidly off his line to deny Connelly his goal.

 

 

 

 

A half that certainly belonged to Queens, one with so many positives to take, but the fact of the matter was that it remained goalless. Good play counts for nothing unless you can find the back of the net.

Thankfully though, those missed chances werent to be rued for overly long with Queens taking a deserved lead on 48 minutes.

Connellys switch found Paton, who slid in a lovely pass to find Max Johnston, who tucked away past MacDonald for his first ever professional goal.

It was absolutely no less than Queens, or Johnston, deserved, with the 17-year-old revelling in his midfield role and Queens by a distance the better side.

 

 

 

The visitors almost responded immediately though as Dario Zanatta was played in just ten yards from goal, only for Brynn to get off his line in no time at all and deny the equaliser.

As the game went on though Rovers began to see more of the ball and Queens sat deeper.

And on 70 minutes, the pressure told, as the ball fell to Aidan Connelly on the edge of the area, the winger volleyed home past the helpless Brynn to level things up.

 

 

 

Theres no doubt the away side were on top in the 10 minutes before the goal, but bar that, offered very little going forward.

The Doonhamers were the side on the ascendency in the closing stages, Josh Debayo firing Harry Cochranes cut back over the bar on his weaker right foot.

With just two minutes left though there was time for one more magnificent MacDonald save, this time denying his own man in Tom Lang, from diverting Patons cross into his own net.

 

 

A tough pill to swallow for Queens who were, by a distance, the better side, but sometimes it just isnt your day. Some poor finishing may have cost Queens, but on another day you dont come up against an inspired Jamie MacDonald who was on fine form.

Gayfield is calling next for Queens and the games dont get any easier in the cinch!