Match Report - By Steven Mew

City travelled down to Dumfries yesterday to take on Queen of the South in what was another must win game for City, but this time a defeat would be extremely costly. Queens found themselves 6 points in front of City before the match with a game in hand. Brechin had closed the gap between themselves and Queens a few weeks back to just 1 point but a couple of excellent victories has seen the doonhamers pull away at the bottom. In the process, they have also pulled themselves to within 6 points of Stranraer, and with those 2 teams still due to play each other later in the season, Queens must fancy their chances after recent performances.

City played Queens at Palmerston on the second day of the season which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Queens travelled up to Glebe Park mid-week in October and that game also ended in a draw, 1-1 this time. City’s injury worries had cleared up for this match and only Craig McEwan and Davie White were out, so Ian Campbell had a good kind of selection headache.

Queens started off the better of the two teams and came extremely close to the opener just three minutes into the match when Andy Thomson’s powerful header brought out a fantastic one handed save from Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal.

The doonhamers failed to cash in on the early pressure, and City caught them on the break a few times. Steven Hampshire found himself in acres of space at the back post and from an angle, his low shot had keeper Colin Scott beaten but experienced centre half Jim Thomson was on hand to clear of the line.

City continued to create chances against a nervy Queens defence and Hampshire once again came close for City when he was put through on goal but Colin Scott got down well to deny the former Chelsea youngster. Chris Templeman then tested Colin Scott with an ambitious dipping volley from outside the box but Scott saved comfortably underneath his crossbar. Scott Walker then came close with a header which went just past the post.

Queens did get their act together eventually and it took the heroics of Craig Nelson to prevent the doonhamers taking the lead before the break when he made a simply fantastic double save to firstly deny Paul Burns and then Graham Weir. Queens were still wondering how ‘Nelly’ managed to keep those out and from the resulting corner, Jim Thomson’s header had Nelson beaten, but Ally Mitchell knocked the ball off the line.

The start of the second half was largely disappointing but Queens planned siege on the Brechin goal with around twenty minutes left on the clock. The doonhamers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Brechin goal but somehow the defence was always on hand to clear.

Derek Lyle saw his volley cleared off the line by Grant Johnson before Lyle made a clever run and pass to send Gary Wood clean through on goal, but once again Nelson proved the hero when he got down well to block the shot with his outstretched legs.

City nearly stole all three points in the closing stages when Burns had a strike for goal from outside the box but the ball sailed wide.

Overall, a point is disappointing for both teams. Queens saw this as an ideal chance to close the gap between themselves and Stranraer to 3 points as Stranraer lost 3-1 against St Mirren at Love Street. City, meanwhile, still lie 6 points behind the doonhamers, who still have a game in hand. Even City’s most optimistic supporters are starting to give up hope of staying up now and City now face some tough opposition in their next three games which are: St Mirren (h) Clyde (a) and Ross County (h).

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Airdrie United 2 Ross County 3

County also keep the pressure on St Mirren at the top after victory at New Broomfield.

Clyde 3 Dundee 3

Six goal thriller at Broadwood between Clyde and Dundee.

Hamilton Academical 1 St Johnstone 2

St Johnstone's promotion hopes still alive after crucial victory.

St Mirren 3 Stranraer 1

Comfortable home victory for the Buddies against struggling Stranraer.