SHOT-SHY Queen of the South fell to old foes Kelty Hearts, putting a massive dent in their promotion bid.
Despite dominating possession from the off against the Fifers, the Doonhamers couldn’t find the back of the net in another frustrating afternoon for Peter Murphy.
Queens did start the contest on the front foot and looked the more threatening in the first half, with long, dangerous Jack Brydon throw-ins causing chaos inside the visitors’ box.
The hosts lacked a cutting edge as Kyle Doherty, Adam Brooks and Liam Smith all had chances that were blocked.
There were a number of stoppages throughout the first half, with Harry Cochrane having to be replaced after coming out of the wrong side of a 50-50 challenge. He was replaced by Lewis O’Donnell.
Charlie Mulgrew’s men started to get into the contest in the dying stages of the first period.
Kelty dangerman Ross Cunningham thought he gave his side the lead as his 25-yard stunner looked to be heading into the top corner. But Queens no1 Ross Stewart pulled off an unstoppable save and palmed it over the bar.
Kelty would take the lead on the brink of half time when Queens sub O’Donnell took a heavy touch and lost the ball to Liam McLeish just outside the home box.
McLeish then teed up Lewis Moore and he was on hand to tuck his low shot into the bottom corner.
Queens huffed and puffed throughout the second half and could only create half chances, summing up their afternoon to a tee.
Reece Lyon’s cross found sub Fraser Bryden but the forward couldn’t divert his close range header on target.
Then the home support were screaming for a penalty when Liam Smith looked to have been clipped inside the box. However, referee Graham Grainger was unmoved, to the anger of the majority at Palmerston. The Dumfries men kept piling on the pressure but fluffed their lines as Brennan Dickenson blazed over from 12 yards.
And at the death, a terrific delivery from the left was flicked over by Brydon.
This was Mulgrew’s first victory as Kelty boss and ended the Maroon Machine’s winless run.
