An 83rd penalty by O'Neill was enough to secure three valuable points for Queens in this tense battle as both teams look to avoid the dreaded play-offs.
Despite heavy overnight rain Palmy,was in marvelous condition for this vital fixture but unfortunately the Football served up in the first half did not grace such a surface. Livingston perhaps had the best of the exchanges with Queens looking somewhat jaded backing up pre-match reports that some players were suffering from the flu.
Livi should have been ahead early on when Kennedy's effort was deflected narrowly past MacDonald's left hand post. Queens were showing nothing up front as O'Connor and Dobbie toiled against a tight Livi defence. Just before half-time Fox cracked in a 20 yarder which the Queen's keeper held at the second attempt. In all it had been poor entertainment for the frozen Queens fans the only consolation was that the Doonhamers were still very much in the match.
The second-half improved somewhat with Livi starting to play the ball around and Jim Thomson and his troops came under some severe pressure at times. Queen's manager brought on O'Neill for the out of sorts Dobbie and there was a gradual change in Queens fortunes as they started to make chances.
O'Neill got on the end of an O'Connor flick but somehow headed on to the top of the bar. Minutes later a lovely chip by Burns just brushed the bar. The match seemed to be heading for a disappointing draw when Tosh was flattened in the box on 83 minutes. O'Neill thrashed the spot-kick home despite a galliant attempt to save by the Livi keeper.
This win was not pretty nor impressive but in the circumstances most Queen's fans will be happy with the three points. Things will be much tougher on Wednesday when we visit the backyard of league leaders Hamilton and on this form Queens will be lucky to take anything from the match. However this league is as tight as a drum and who knows Queens may provide a shock.
QueensMAD man of the Match - Jim Thomson by a mile - The big man was immense and kept Queens in the game with his solid defence.
|
