And the fans kept up their end of the bargain and played their part to help their team over the winning line. The 2000-strong home contingent were repaid in the second half thanks to Fraser Bryden and Harry Cochrane’s quick fire second half goals.
And the Doonhamers had to thank an inspired performance by Ross Stewart who pulled off a string of heroic saves including a late Stenny penalty.
But the contest was not plain-sailing in the least for Peter Murphy’s outfit.
Ex-Palmy gaffer Gary Naysmith looked to have mapped out a brilliant game plan to nullify a rampant Queens side.
But one Queens player who shone throughout the contest was the orange wall – Stewart – in-between the sticks.
His first of many great stops came in the early exchanges when a deep corner found Gregor Buchanan. His low header was expertly saved by the Queens no1 and he had to make another brilliant stop to deny Matty Aitken from close range.
Stewart looked unbeatable anytime a Stenny player tried their luck. Matty Yates was played through one-on-one by strike partner Aitken but the Queens keeper again produced a miraculous save.
It really did look like it just a matter of time before the Warriors would go ahead. But Stewart had other ideas.
Mikey Anderson slipped in Yates and from six yards out was denied by Stewart.
The hosts only mustered up one shot on target during the first period and it was a tame Mikey Hewitt header straight into the palms of Darren Jamieson.
Stenny had another great chance just after the break when Jack Hannah slipped inside his own box and Blair Alston fired straight into Stewart’s gloves.
Changes were needed and Murphy made them just before the hour mark with Bryden and Oscar MacIntyre coming on.
And inside a minute, it paid off as Bryden fired a first-time effort past Jamieson.
Queens looked a complete different team and had a perfect chance to double their lead four minutes later after Kai Kennedy was brought down inside the box by Buchanan.
Cochrane stepped up and confidently tucked home his spot-kick.
Top goalscorer Adam Brooks nearly joined the party but his 30-yard lob was tipped over by a full-stretched Jamieson.
But Stenny were offered a lifeline late on, when MacIntyre handled inside the box.
However, Stewart all-but sealed his man of the match award with another fantastic save.
QoS: Stewart, Hewitt, Douglas, Hannah, Lyon, Smith (Walker 89), Cochrane (O’Donnell 72), Luissint (MacIntyre 59), Kennedy, Brooks, Allan (Bryden 58). Subs not used: Johnson, Brydon, Thomson, Doherty.
Stenny: Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan, Banner, Fisher, Wedderburn (Tomlinson 71), Anderson, Jacobs (Alston 47), Ewen (Bilham 85), Aitken (O’Donnell 71), Yates (McLuckie 71).
Ref: Peter Stuart. Crowd: 2242.
