Goss strikes as Queens tumble from top spot

QUEEN of the South returned to league business against East Fife last Saturday knowing a win at the Bayview Stadium would keep them at the top of the League One table.

However, an uninspired performance in Methil saw the Doonhamers slip to third spot following a 2-1 defeat.

After being promoted from League Two last season, the Fifers have made a good start to life in the third tier.

And they showed their intentions in this match early on when Annan loanee Tommy Goss fired a shot over from 35-yards after just three minutes.

The hosts looked up for the occasion, while Queens struggled to get going.

With 20 minutes gone Mamadou Bah crossed the ball from the right and Goss got his head to it. But the Dumfries native headed straight into the arms of Queens keeper Ross Stewart.

East Fife continued the pressure and Jack Hannah had to make a block from Nathan Austin before Michael McKenna picked up the loose ball and curled a right foot shot inches over the crossbar.

The pressure paid off midway through the half as the home team opened the scoring.

McKenna played a ball in from the right and Goss headed home at the back post.

Just three minutes later it could have been 2-0, but Hannah got there ahead of Goss at the front post to clear before the striker could get a touch.

It had not been the best of halves for the visitors but they pulled themselves back into the game right on the cusp of halftime.

Kai Kennedy delivered a brilliant ball in from the wing which was met perfectly by Reece Lyon who sent a powerful header past Ruairidh Adams.

Queens would have hoped to start the second half a bit better than the first, however, they soon faced an uphill battle after losing a goal almost immediately after the restart.

A mistake allowed Austin to get the ball ahead of Matty Douglas and lift it over Stewart into the middle of the net to restore the East Fife lead.

Not long after, the big striker hit a right foot effort from outside the box just past the upright.

On the hour mark, Lyon tried a shot from distance which was gathered by Ruairidh Adams.

And midway through the half, Kennedy dropped a free-kick into the box but Douglas headed over.

Kennedy’s next set-piece was headed on by Kurtis Guthrie but cleared before the forward was denied what looked like a strong claim for a penalty after he appeared to be kicked inside the box.

As the home side looked for a third, Goss played the ball across the face of goal but Rob Jones could not connect.

Queens never really got going in the contest and were unable to recover from the mountain they gave themselves to climb right at the start of the second half.