QUEENS 1 SAINTS 1 (WITH PHOTOS)

A strong Saints following made the journey down to Dumfries to watch the on form Saints tackle surprise leaders Queen of the South. Peaso was this weeks Saint to be struck down with a virus, so he lost his starting jersey to Dingwall hat-trick striker Mixu. Otherwise, Tuesday night’s victorious selection remained in tact.

Saints were quick to attack. A Donnelly inside pass to Bernard was cleared, but Queens were rapid on the counter. This time, O’Connor’s left footed strike was weak, and easily saved. This was the formula for the rest of the match. Saints won their first corner of many after 4 minutes. A deep cross by McLuaghlin from the left, was headed back across goal by Maxwell. Bernard, was first to the ball, but his right footed volley soared over the bar. Queens, then swept up the park. Cuthbert was forced into his first real save of the match from Bagan’s shot after he had been played in by a well timed pass, from Gary Wood down the right. Queens had a good chance after 9 minutes. This time, O’Connor threaded a cross into the box for Paul Burns, although he was unable to release the shot. Instead, he pushed it inside to Burns, who’s strike was deflected wide for a corner. Despite the corner being cleared, Queens continued to threaten the Saints defence. Paul Burns attempted to swing in a left footed cross, but it sliced off the foot of John Robertson and beyond a helpless Cuthbert, 1-0 Queens.

Saints awoke and were immediately on the attack from the kick off, with whippet Parker, pacing down the right. His cross appeared to deflect off a Queens arm in the box, but penalty claims were waived away by Willie Young, and a corner awarded instead. After 14 minutes, Saints were again picking away at the Queens rear guard. Another Parker surge down the right, resulted in a cross, Mark Robertson challenged for the header, but the ball broke to the back post for McLaughlin. Instead of hitting it first time, he had time to take a touch, round Reid, and strike a low piercing left footed shot which was touched round the post by Colin Scott in the Queens goal. 20 minutes gone, and Parker and Mixu exchanged passes, Parker accelerated round the right back, sending in a left footed cross, but it was slightly behind Donnelly, who’s volley was cleared for another corner. 2 minutes later, and John Robertson was attacking down the right flank, his low cross was volleyed low and hard by Dods, but again Scott was on hand, to save.

25 minutes gone, and Saints were close to levelling with a majestic goal. Bernard made a diagonal run from midfield into the box, J. Robertson chipped the ball over the defence into Bernard’s path. He cushioned a looping volley over the oncoming keeper, but Scott had to reflex well to save, and push the ball over the bar. In the following minutes to, Bernard, Donnelly had strong shots blocked, and Maxwell had a header saved. In 40 minutes, Saints swept the ball swiftly across the park, Robertson received the ball on the right, but took a touch and delayed his cross, but Mark Robertson’s effort went over.

Two minutes before the break, and Colin Scott made another good save. This time from Parker. McLaughlin had been fouled on the left, and his delivery was headed towards Parker, despite timing his volley well, Scott made the block.

The second half kicked off the same way it had finished, with Queens perpetually feeling the pressure of the Saints offence, but still Saints were struggling to find the lucky break in front of goal. But Queens, continued to threaten on the break, and from an early corner, a goalward Brian Reid header deflected off a Queens head for a goal kick. Saints pursued to win a load of corners, but Queens were threatening again on the break. Alex Burke twisted on the edge of the box, and released a right footed crack at goal. With Cuthbert in full flight, the ball just slid by the right post. Saints responded by increasing the temperature again. A corner after 55 minutes was headed goal-wards by Bernard, but Queens cleared off the line. Mark Robertson then elected to take matter into his own hands. His 30 yard pelter screamed past Scott but crashed back off the upright. Whilst Saint’s hearts rose and fall, Queens were back on the counter. Cuthbert produced an Alan Main-esque finger tip save to keep Saints in the game. A deep cross from the left was met by a perfectly timed volley by Gary Wood, but the stopper, tipped the ball over.

Two minutes later, Saints were to reap the dividend of Cuthbert’s altheticism and reaction. A Forsyth diagonal cross skiffed heads in the box, and was picked up by Donnelly on the right. He drove a low cross back into the danger area. It eluded all, bar McLaughlin. The ex-Queens man, turned onto his right side, and his effort deflected beyond Scott into the net.

Saints continued to press forward in search of the winner. Bernard regained possession on the edge of the Queens box, passed vertically into Donnelly’s path, but his strike was pushed wide again by Scott. With 5 minutes remaining, Saints had a gilt edged opportunity to leave victorious. Bernard’s threaded pass was precision for Donnelly, who in turn crossed back perfectly for Parker’s replacement Peaso. The substitute had time, steadied himself but his shot was saved again by Colin Scott.

Saints exhibited huge efforts in their attempts to come back from the unfortunate deflected goal. Queens were grabbing on by a thin thread on as Saints barraged forwards in their attempts for victory. To their credit Queens defended well and looked dangerous on the counter as they exploited the holes left by the Saints surged forward. Still, with Caley losing to Falkirk, there is no change at the top. With Saints performing with the hunger and determination on show today, the luck will follow. There was only a fine line between a successful rescue mission today, which had not been evident in previous displays when Saints had gone a goal down. With a little more luck, Saints would have returned north with the points.