Queen of the South 1 - 0 Raith Rovers: Gavin Reilly goal gives Queen of the South hope

Published on 11/03/2012 01:59

SUPER SUB Gavin Reilly came off the bench to grab a dramatic winner, which could prove crucial in Queens’ desperate battle to avoid relegation.

Reilly, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, struck in 82 minutes when he ran on to a pass from Kevin Smith to place the ball beyond goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw from 18 yards.

The massive importance of the outcome was not lost on both sides from the outset and nerves were obvious, with passes going astray with regularity and the skill factor virtually non-existent.

Remarkably, the last six league clashes between these two clubs had resulted in away victories, but Queen’s were determined to end that trend, and in 57 minutes Danny Carmichael crossed from the left. The ball was head flicked on by Thomas Brighton for Allan Johnston, but his 15-yard effort crashed off the underside of the bar, and Laidlaw got down to gather on the line as Sam Parkin slid in.

Raith’s trips to Dumfries in recent years have proved fruitful, having only lost once at Palmerston since 2004, and that excellent record might have been improved on 71 minutes when Allan Walker turned and shot from 25 yards, but his terrific effort was turned on to a post by goalkeeper Lee Robinson.