As Queens looked to maintain their place in the promotion play-off places, they were back at Palmerston for their league one fixture against East Fife. Manager, Peter Murphy made one change to the starting eleven with Liam Smith coming back into the side and Taylor Charters dropping to the bench.
It was the best possible start to the game as Reece Lyon gave them the lead with just seventy seconds on the clock, after Kai Kennedy whipped in a cross from the right and he headed the ball past Ruairidh Adams.
However, the lead lasted less than five minutes when Michael McKennas corner was met at the near post by Myles Gaffney and he headed the ball past Ross Stewart to level. Six minutes later, Sam Culbert back-heeled the ball into the path of Connor McManus to open up a chance for the visitors but he over hit the delivery across the box.
East Fife were still on the attack and as the ball came across from the left, Niall Rogerson didnt get enough on his clearance and as it fell to Culbert at the post, Stewart made a save to turn it out for a corner. As that was floated in, Andy Munro carried the keeper into the net as he collected.
It was end-to-end and as Kennedy danced his way into the box, Munro was back up the other end of the park to block.
Midway through the first half, Smith was brought down 20-yards from goal and as Kennedy curled the free-kick around the wall, Adams dived across to turn the ball away. Queens were on the front foot and two minutes later, as Adams made a save from Kennedy the ball spilled to Kurtis Guthrie who tried to back-heel the ball into the net, he couldnt get enough on it to take it over the line but Lyon was on hand to slot the ball past the keeper to restore Queens lead.
Three minutes later, Nicky Clark lifted the ball towards the top corner but it was over hit and over the top.
Queens were creating chances and with half an hour gone, Kennedys effort came back off the post and as it rebounded to Smith, Adams stuck his foot out to stop his shot. Lyon then felt he was pushed in the back and looked for a penalty but that wasnt given and as they continued to go forward, Smith picked up a loose ball and made his way into the 18-yard area but good defending by Brian Easton kept the ball from reaching Kennedy.
Kennedy was causing all sorts of problems on the right and as he played it in to the middle, Lyon misjudged his connection and couldnt get enough curl on the ball to direct it towards the target. Kennedy was again involved in Queens next attack when he played it forward to Zander Mackenzie who played it back to Lyon but his well taken right foot strike was saved by the keeper.
McKenna picked up a booking for a deliberate foul on Smith as he made a break before Guthrie got on the end of Kennedys corner only for Adams to collect his header.
Two minutes before the break it was the visitors who had a chance but Stewart made a double save, firstly blocking a powerful shot from Joe Halsey and then making himself big to block from Gaffney.
HALF TIME: Queens 2 East Fife 1
Three minutes after the restart, Lyon played the ball to Smith on the left and as the winger hit it first time into the box, Guthrie was too calm and his shot was straight at the keeper. Two minutes later, this time Smith combined with Kennedy before chipping the ball into the box and Guthrie headed over.
As the second half settled, Reis Peggie blasted his shot high and wide before the ball was played up field and as Kennedy made his way into the box, he had his heel clipped but stayed on his feet and the chance was gone.
Just before the hour mark, Queens paid for not taking their chances when McKennan put Callum Penman off and his header fell to Culbert who continued before drilling the ball across goal into the bottom corner. The home side were unhappy that a foul hadnt been given for the nudge on Penman in the build-up but the goal was given and the visitors were again back on level terms.
As Queens looked to get back in front, Matty Douglas headed over a Kennedy corner and a long ball down the channel was chased by Penman before being played in for Clark, as the defenders crowded round, Smith and Kennedy the ball broke to Lyon but his shot was blocked.
Midway through the half, Stewart made a terrific save from Kieran Millar before saving from Munro as he got his head on the resulting corner. Sixty seconds later, Lyon found MacKenzie who played the ball over the top for Guthrie, the big striker got his head on it and forced a great save from Adams who then saved from Kennedy.
In the final stages, Queens swapped Charters for Smith as they reverted back to the set-up that had worked well against Hamilton last weekend but it didnt have the same effect this time round and it was Dick Campbells side who finished stronger.
Neither side could find a winner and had to settle for a point.
Full Time: Queens 2 East Fife 2