Queens started with a number of changes to the side from last time out, the back four consisted of primarily youngsters with Robison partnering Aitken in the centre of defence for the absent Rowe, Hodge on the left and McMillan on the right. Geoff Patterson kept his place in midfield with the experienced pairing of Dickson and Kerr organising things and Mark Weir wide left being asked to provide the ammunition for the new front pairing of McLean and Strain. Neither Rowe nor Adams even making it onto the bench.
Unfortunately this report is almost a carbon copy of so many recently, where Queens don't go behind until the early part of the second half and then collapse completely after that and lose by an unhealthy margin. The only exception this week is that normally the first half has been well contested with Queens usually looking the better of the two teams, not this week. Stirling could have and should have been in front before the break. Within the first ten minutes Queens were forced to concede a penalty, however giant hitman Ally Graham failed to convert and the Doonhamers received a stay of execution. Queens only clear chance of the half fell to Scott McLean, a proven scorer when he gets some service, but his effort just before half time was well dealt with.
The second half started with apprehension within the Dumfries support and it was not long before their concerns were realised, John McQuade was in the right place to knock the ball home following a scramble in the Queens penalty box in the fifty third minute.
It then took another twenty five minutes of Stirling pressure before the second goal, a header from a corner by on-loan Paul Whiteford, was conceded. The final goal coming from another set piece when Graham Donald climbed above the Doonhamers defence to net with the last action in what was a painful afternoon for the hardy soles that had made the journey to Forthbank in search of that elusive light at the end of the tunnel.
Next Saturday sees potentially a great chance to get back on track with the visit of Arbroath and, of course, ex-Palmerston favourites Tam Bryce and Jim Thomson, two players who would walk into the present Queens team and immediately improve us by 100%.
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