Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers: Raith hold firm

DESPITE enjoying most of the play and chances, Queens went down to a well organised and disciplined Raith side.

Queens had more of the ball but Raith would not buckle, with goalkeeper David McGurn in commanding form.

Queens were first to threaten when Derek Lyle sent Iain Russell clear, but he delayed his shot and Paul Watson cleared.

Raith went ahead on 18 minutes with a simple but effective move.

Liam Fox found Grant Anderson, whose cross from the left picked out the unmarked Greig Spence, below, who finished easily.

Queens responded three minutes later when Lyle’s header from Danny Carmichael’s cross forced a fine one-handed save from David McGurn.

Lyle then crossed for Durnan, whose header brought out a point-blank reaction save from McGurn.

On 36 minutes, Chris Mitchell’s corner was met by a Chris Higgins header that had McGurn beaten but Jason Thomson cleared off the line.

Queens had a good chance on 57 minutes, but sub Gavin Reilly, with his first touch of the game, headed over from a dangerous Carmichael cross.

Queens were enjoying most of the pressure, with Kevin
McKenna’s deflected shot flying just wide with McGurn stranded.

Raith remained organised throughout, with their ’keeper and defence doing their job with a minimum of fuss.

Queens’ hopes diminished on 78 minutes when Mark Durnan was sent off after kicking out at Calum Elliot.