Ryan Conroy's penalty gave Dundee a fortuitous victory at Palmerston and moved Paul Hartley's side four points clear at the top of the Championship.
Goalkeeper Jim Atkinson was sent off after fouling Martin Boyle in the box as half-time approach.
And substitute stopper Calum Antell, who came on for Bob McHugh, was unable to save Conroy's spot-kick.
Despite being reduced to ten men Queens dominated the second half but were left frustrated as Lyle missed a sitter and Russell hit the underside of the bar.
Dundee also hit the goal-frame when Christian Nade's 25-yard strike rattled the post.
Queens can consider themselves very unlucky to not have gained a share of the points against a pretty average Dundee team but the penalty and sending off spoiled the game.
Images courtesy of Sandy Robertson
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Queen of the South
- 01 Atkinson Dismissed
- 02 Mitchell
- 03 Holt
- 08 Kerr
- 05 Durnan
- 06 Dowie Booked
- 04 McKenna
- 10 Paton
- 09 McHugh (Antell - 45' )
- 11 Reilly (Russell - 52' Booked )
- 07 McShane (Lyle - 52' )
Substitutes
- 12 Antell
- 14 Lyle
- 15 Russell
- 16 Carmichael
- 17 Higgins
- 18 Dzierzawski
- 19 Young
Dundee
- 01 Letheren
- 02 Irvine Booked
- 05 Dyer
- 08 McBride
- 18 Gallagher
- 17 Benedictus
- 23 Boyle
- 10 Rae
- 09 MacDonald (Nade - 67' )
- 20 McAlister
- 11 Conroy (Monti - 65' )
Substitutes
- 03 Lockwood
- 15 Monti
- 24 Twardzik
- 25 Cummins
- 27 Nade
- 28 Bonnett-Johnson
- 33 Wighton