Mc NIVEN DUMPS CONNOLLY'S SAINTS

Mc Niven answered his critics when he hit a magnificent double as Queens recorded the sweetest of victories over St Johnstone managed by their former boss John Connolly. Connolly can have no complaints as an impressive Queens team swept aside any local resistance much to the delight of the huge Doonhamer support who were a bit riled having to fork out £16 to gain entry to the ground. Queens however cheered up the faithful and tore into the Saints from kick-off with Bowey and Mc Lauchlan buzzing in the midfield. The much improved Wood got Queens off to the best of starts in the 3rd minute when he found himself unmarked inside the box and he beat the Perth keeper Mc Gregor with ease. The away support erupted and Queens really turned the screw as they looked for a second goal. Saints however were not out of it and the Queens back four had to be on their toes. Thomson and Reid were as soild as ever with the safe hands of Scott in Queens goal giving great support. Queens looked the hungrier team and were making all the chances and it was no surprise when Mc Niven scored a delightful second goal for Queens on 22 minutes. He picked up a loose ball out on the left and clipped in a delightful shot from an acute angle past an astonished home keeper. Queens were now well on top and the diminutive Mc Laughlan had awful luck when his shot clipped the bar. Queens however were well satisfied with their comfortable interval lead.

Half-Time - St Johnstone 0 Queens 1

Saints came out in a more positive mood for the second half but the street-wise Queens defence refused to be intimidated and with Thomson having another maginificent game the home attack were restricted to long range shots which the immaculate Scott coped with comfortably. Queens were always eager to come forward and with the powerful Paton surging up the right they always looked like scoring a third. It finally came on 73 minutes when Mc Niven again found space in the box to pick his spot. It was now game over as Mc Niven ran towards the Queens fans to celebrate. The burly striker however had the chance of his hatrick a few minutes later when he ran through a demoralised Perth defence rounded the Perth keeper but much to his horror placed his shot wide of the open goal and past the post. New signing Armstrong was brought on to torment the Saints in the final few minutes and very nearly scored on a couple of final attacks. Fotherham did grab a goal for Saints on 79 minutes when he beat Scott with a long range effort but by that time most of the Perth faitful had left and John Connolly was being reminded of the scoreline in song by the now ecstatic Queens fans. This was a trully maginificent victory for Queens and a great team effort in which we didn't have a failure. Paton had an impressive return and McLaughlan was absolutely everywhere. Mc Niven answered his critics in great style with two magnificent strikes. On this form there should be plenty of goals against Albion Rovers on Tuesday evening. I can't wait !

THOMSON CLEARS FOR QUEENS

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FANS GONE?

SOME EARLY SECOND HALF ACTION