Queens top division one

Oct 29 2008 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

QUEEN of the South moved a point clear at the top of division one after a disciplined win at Ross County.

A goal in the first half from Stephen Dobbie and one from substitute Michael McGowan in the last minute were enough to secure the three points.

With Dunfermline’s match at Airdrie United falling victim to the weather, the victory gave them exclusive leadership of the league.

Queen of the South had the extremely strong wind at their backs in the first half and made full use of it.

Jim Thomson tried his luck early on with a long-range free-kick which kept Tony Bullock on his toes.

Dobbie had the first genuine chance after Tom Parratt broke clear on the wing and Steve Tosh picked out his striker but Bullock was alert to the danger and made a good save.

The Queens’ striker should have done better later in the first half when he could not find a way past Bullock from a tight angle when he had team-mates better positioned in the area.

The wind was causing problems for the County defence and Scott Boyd swiped at the ball in one instance and Bullock again came to his side’s rescue to push it for a corner.

The breakthrough came nine minutes from half-time when Dobbie, from fully 25 yards, cracked in a low free-kick with the aid of the wind and it flew past Bullock.

Steven Craig had a chance to equalise before the break but he rushed his finish and ended up sending it too high.

County looked to use the wind to their advantage in the second half but found Queens well organised at the back.

Andy Dowie tested Cammy Bell but the goalkeeper was equal to the task and then Mark McCulloch tried his luck from distance but Bell was again well positioned to save.

Stewart Kean, who had replaced Dobbie, and Paul Burns both saw efforts blocked at the other end as Gordon Chisholm’s side looked to secure the points.

Stephen Simmons made way for McGowan with 16 minutes left and it was a change that was to prove significant.

In a frantic finish, it was the substitute who put the seal on the three points when he beat Bullock with a 22-yard shot to send the Queens’ fans home happy.

County will feel they should maybe have taken something after their second-half display but Bell was not put under any sustained pressure and this was a thoroughly professional display by Chisholm’s men.

Teams

Ross County: Bullock, McCulloch, Keddie (Gardyne 64), Dowie, Boyd, Strachan (Watt 84), Hart, Brittain, Daal (Higgins 64), Craig, Scott. Subs not used: Soutar, Lawson.

Queen of the South: Bell, Parratt, McQuilken (Reid 89), Barr, Sives, Thomson, Burns, Tosh, O’Connor, Dobbie (Kean 59), Simmons (McGowan 74). Subs not used: Halliwell, Weatherston.

Referee: S Finnie.

Attendance: 2,232