Queen of the South lose to Ross County

Jan 21 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

GORDON Chisholm admitted his team is now in a relegation dogfight after this defeat in Dingwall.

A solitary goal from Dyron Daal after 73 minutes was enough to separate the teams and give Ross County the only victory of the day in a division which saw the other four matches drawn.

The result left Queen of the South occupying the second-bottom slot, just three points ahead of Airdrie United, who managed a point at Dunfermline.

Queen of the South have not won since their previous trip to Dingwall and there were high hopes this fixture could turn around their fortunes.

Craig Reid and Paul Burns returned to the starting line-up, after the defeat at Falkirk, and Stewart Kean was again handed the job of playing up front on his own.

It was not the best of games in bitterly cold conditions but Ross threatened first when Sean Higgins tried his luck from just outside the box but it was just too high.

Bob Harris then tested Derek Soutar with a well-struck free-kick but the goalkeeper was equal to the task and saved comfortably.

Barry Wilson then curled a free-kick narrowly over the top after Scott Boyd had been booked for pulling down Kean.

Queens had the better of the first half but neither team created much. John Stewart had the ball in the net for the home side before half-time but had strayed into an offside position.

County stepped up a gear in the second half but Queens held firm at the back, although Steve Tosh and Neil MacFarlane both picked up yellow cards.

Stewart was replaced by Adam Strachan for the home side and he immediately brought more purpose and energy to the County attack.

But Queens also threatened and the lively Wilson sent a header into the hands of Soutar after more good work from Harris.

Daal came close midway through the half, however, Reid managed to block but, within five minutes, the County man struck the only goal of the game.

Richard Brittain’s free-kick was blocked and Higgins reacted quickly to head the ball towards goal and Daal slid in to beat Lee Robinson.

Within minutes, Chisholm sent on Stephen Dobbie and Sean O’Connor in a bid to salvage it. Queens finished strongly and Wilson was too high with an effort from just inside the area before Dobbie wasted a free-kick when he sent his shot well wide.

Teams

Ross County: Soutar, McCulloch, Golabek, Watt (Keddie 47), Boyd, Scott, Hart, Brittain, Stewart (Strachan 66), Daal, Higgins (Morrison 87). Subs not used: Malin, Gardyne.

Queen of South: Robinson, Reid, Harris (McQuilken 74), MacFarlane, Barr, Lancaster, Wilson, Tosh (Dobbie 77), Kean (O’Connor 77), Robertson, Burns. Subs not used: Halliwell, Scally.

Referee: S O’Reilly.

Attendance: 2,323.