After a 10am pitch inspection it was game on for the visit of Kelty Hearts. With injury, suspension and illness in the camp, Manager Wullie Gibson made four changes to the side that beat Alloa in the cup. After missing the trip to the Indodrill with a virus, Iain Wilson and Gavin Reilly both returned, along with Paul McKay and Connor Murray. Harry Cochrane was suspended for the game, so he missed out. Lee Connelly who had been hit with the virus during the week dropped to the bench along with Ross Irving with the Gaffer dropping himself altogether.
On a decent run of form going into the game expectations were high and Queens got off to a positive start, taking the lead after six minutes. The flag stayed down as Ruari Paton held the line before nipping in to beat Darren Jamieson.
There was little more goalmouth action as both sides battled it out until Nicky Low tried a shot from distance but that was an easy take for Max Currie. Alfredo Agyeman then used his pace as he tried to create an opening, but his effort was deflected into the side netting. Midway through the first half, Connor Murray twisted and turned at the edge of the box before his shot was turned out for a corner. And at the other end, former Queens midfielder Darren Lyon was leaning back and couldnt connect properly as he hit a right foot shot over the bar.
Kelty were starting to attack more and as Jamie Barjonas got the better of Ciaran McKenna, Paul McKay blocked to clear the danger. With half an hour gone, Paton won a free kick to the side of the box, the striker took the set piece himself and although it was dipping it didnt dip enough and cleared the bar. The final chance of the first half also came for the home side, after some good play, Gavin Reillys left foot effort was high of the target.
HALF TIME: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 0
At the interval, the visitors introduced Nathan Austin to the play and as they pushed Queens deeper into their own half it was Low who hit a decent free kick just wide of the upright.
Queens were struggling to get out of their own half, but as Reilly was upended at the edge of the box, Lewis Gibson tried to curl it, but the keeper made the catch. And with seventy minutes on the clock, Iain Wilson stung the palms of Jamieson with a powerful right foot drive from 25 yards. Kelty had been on top since the break and McKenna had to get his body in the way to block Austins left foot shot to keep Queens ahead. They nearly extended the advantage as Lee Connelly aimed for the top corner with his first touch of the game, but Jamieson made a good save.
And within two minutes, Kelty were back on level terms. As Queens failed to cut out the delivery from the wing, Austin was at the back-post to beat Currie. The goal had been coming but it was a sickening blow for Queens as just four minutes later they found themselves behind.
Having led for so much of the game, things turned for Queens as goalkeeper Currie tried his best to take the ball at the feet of Joe Cardle, but the substitute got there first before going down under the challenge and referee Barry Cook had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Kallum Higginbotham sent Currie the wrong way, firing the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to give them a 2-1 lead.
In added on time, Queens looked for the goal that wouldve earned them a point, Paton crossed into the box, but Michael Ruths header was turned out for a corner. With Currie moving up field, the home side had all eleven players attacking but it was to no avail as Calvin McGrorys corner was saved and cleared for another and as that came in the keeper desperately blocked with his legs from Connelly.
FULL TIME: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 2