QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 3-3 St JOHNSTONE 21st February 2009

TEAM LINE-UP Robinson McCann Lancaster Barr     S3       Harris 1         Burns Scally MacFarlane S1 1       Wilson O'Connor 1         Dobbie SUBSTITUTES S1 - 80       McQuilken S2 - 80         Kean S3 - 88         Aitken Tosh Halliwell MATCH REPORT There was only one change today from the side that had defeated Airdrie United last weekend as Barry Wilson came back in for Jamie McQuilken. On the bench there were two changes with Stevie Tosh in for David Weatherston and McQuilken deposing Scott Robertson. St Johnstone won the toss and decided to make Queens shot into the empty Terregles Street end for the second half. The league leaders started well and pressed Queens back for the opening few minutes. Queens however soon weathered the early storm and collected their composure and a free kick on five minutes almost allowed an effort on goal as Barry Wilson orchestrated a move that saw Bob Harris free on the left and sending a ball across goal that Martyn Lancaster was just beaten to by Alan Main. Stephen Dobbie then collected a ball wide and turned in on goal, the angle was too much though and his effort was comfortably held by Alan Main. On the quarter hour mark Lee Robinson pulled off a tremendous save as a cross from the left was headed goalward by Collin Samuel. The ball was then played back in and Samuel failed to direct his free header past Robinson who was well positioned to collect. The game was getting played at a frantic pace with both sides taking no prisoners Robinson pushed away this effort The first goal of the match came in the twentieth minute as a back pass in the Saints defence was pounced on by Barry Wilson and the midfielder managed to get enough on the ball to nick it past Alan Main and send it trundling toward goal. It looked as though the combination of Main and Rutkiewicz would prevent it crossing he line however neither could and the far side linesman was convinced that the ball had crossed the line. Wilson beats Main to it - Photo from Sandy Robertson Wilson beats Main to it from the other angle - Photo from Fraser Johnstone And there's no doubt it crossed the line - Photo from David Gow St Johnstone aren't top of the league for no reason though and they immediately pressurised Queens. A header from Collin Samuel beat Robinson and hit the post, it fell into the middle of the goals and only a superb clearance from Ryan McCann thwarted a Saints striker a goal. Shortly after Craig Barr was booked for dissent. With just a few minutes of the half left Stephen Dobbie collected the ball wide right and headed in on goal, with just a couple of defenders and Barry Wilson in the 6 yard box it looked a great chance to square to the midfielder. However Dobbs decided to shoot and although close his effort slid by the post with Wilson almost getting on the end of it. The second half saw St Johnstone retire Collin Samuel and put on Steven Milne in his place. It took ten minutes of the half for Queens to increase their lead as Stephen Dobbie was fed by Barry Wilson. Dobbs, with his back to goal, turned past two defender and slotted the ball past Main to double the home sides advantage. Two minutes after that it could have been three as Sean O'Connor picked up a clearance in his own half and set off toward the Saints goal, he beat two men before feeding Stephen Dobbie. Dobbs cut across the retreating Saints defence and fired an effort toward goal that Main did well to save. Had it gone in surely the game would have been won. Dobbs slots it home As it turned out St Johnstone were in the mood for a fightback. It was defender Kevin Rutkiewicz who netted their first after he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box before firing a shot past the helpless Lee Robinson. Eight minutes later it was all square as a debated throw in was picked up on the edge of the box and drilled home by Chris Millar. Saints were on the ascendancy and their fans taunted the home sides, for two minutes anyway until they were shut firmly up by Paul Burns who fired a brilliant effort past Main and into the top corner. Burnsy beats Main - Photo from Sandy Robertson Jody Morris looked to have a great chance with fifteen minutes left but the diminutive midfielder fired well over the bar and ended up on the floor requiring so much attention that he had to leave the field on a stretcher. Gordon Chisholm made his first swap of the day on eighty minutes as Jamie McQuilken came on for Barry Wilson. This was followed, almost inside a minute by Stewart Kean for Stephen Dobbie. Five minutes later and the match was all square as former Carlisle United striker Derek Holmes stayed on his feet long enough to crack home a Liam Craig pass. His efforts also managed to injure Bob Harris and the left back was replaced by Andy Aitken for the remainder of the match. The only other action of the game was a booking for Jamie McQuilken for a late tackle. Robinson realises that it's in the net It was a disappointing end to an extremely entertaining game of football for the home side. All being equal the game would have been Queens and indeed it was a case of two points dropped today. Colin Johnstone For all of the photos from the game today click on the link http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/queenofthesouthfc