Queens lined up today with both Andy Aitken and George Rowe coming straight into the side, however youngster Kevin Robison also kept his place as George Rowe took up an unusual right wing position. Now Geordie would be the first to admit that he is not a winger and it soon became clear what his role for the afternoon was as he immediately began tracking Queens bogey winger Paul Kinnaird.
![[Me and my shadow]](1504_03.jpg)
Me and my shadow, for the first forty five minutes anyway.
The central midfield partnership that had worked so well a few weeks ago was restored as Denis Boyle and Graham Duncan were re-united, Mark Weir, many fans Man of the Match on Tuesday, provided the width on the left. John Dickson and Warren Hawke provided the fire power up front although Dickson and Rowe swapped around now and then, at least until Charlie Adams was introduced late on when Rowe took up a right back position allowing Adams to partner Hawke in a vain attempt to find the net.
The first half started at high speed and Queens immediately pressurised Nicky Walker in the Staggies goal, the veteran keeper was having a bit of an off day and fumbled a few balls during the half that the Queens forwards just could not convert.
Midfield play was the order of the half and both teams contributed to an even and entertaining contest. Paul Kinnaird was suitably subdued due to the efforts of Geordie Rowe and without his service County were finding it difficult to penetrate a tight Queens defence, similarly at the other end the Queens forward line were finding it tough going against a very physical northern back line.
The stalemate was broken in the thirty eighth minute, however, when a Paul Kinnaird corner was met by the full force of a Brian Irvine run into the box from way back, the central defender making no mistake as he bulleted his header past the helpless Mathieson. It was notable at that point that heads dropped in the home ranks. Nevertheless the Doonhamers left the field at the end of the half hopeful of turning round the deficit.
The second half began with a bang, as Brian Irvine and a fellow County defender went for a high through ball with Warren Hawke, all three missed the ball but the two County defenders crashed their heads together and immediately play was halted. Of the two Brian Irvine was the most obviously hurt as the Queens physio called for medical assistance as soon as he arrived. He was to play no further part in proceedings and shortly after left the ground to be taken to the Infirmary for checks.
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![[Medical assistance]](1504_02.jpg)
Brian Irvine receives medical attention.
After a bit of re-organising by County the match resumed. Queens made a change five minutes later as Alan Kerr was sent on to replace Denis Boyle in the central midfield role. Unfortunately though it was Kerr who lost possession in the County half and lead to Paul Kinnaird being able to send a cross over to the head of Alex Bone whose first attempt was blocked away by Mathieson only for Bone to this time shoot the ball into the net for number two.
Queens were making few chances, there was just no penetration of the substantial County back line. Queens best chance of the game coming when Alan Kerr volleyed a first time effort from thirty five yards which just grazed the outside of the post with Walker well beaten.
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![[Ten yards or feet ref?]](1504_01.jpg)
Mark Weir asks for a re-measure.
County finished the scoring on seventy one minutes when Paul Kinnaird increased his personal tally against Queens this season to four with a fine strike.
The game was finished as a contest and George Rowe summed up the feeling on the terraces as he put his head in his hands as the third goal was scored.
Results elsewhere mean that Queens remain five points adrift of Stenhousemuir as they crashed 7-0 at Clyde whilst Hamilton and Stirling Albion were both involved in draws to add single points to their totals.
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