Play-offs now in sight!

TWO second half strikes against Cove Rangers boosted Queen of the South’s play-off chances and earned them their first home victory since January. With rivals Peterhead and Montrose both slipping up, the Doonhamers have moved within touching distance of the post-season spots with a 2-0 success over the Aberdeen side. The hosts started the Palmerston contest with intent. Within four minutes, Kai Kennedy’s inviting corner found Brennan Dickenson, whose powerful header forced a superb reflex save from Cove keeper Balint Demus. Nicky Clark was next to threaten for the men in blue, latching onto a Benji Luissint pass and spinning to fire a 25-yard snapshot that whistled just wide. Jordan Allan, making his first start of the campaign, nearly marked the occasion with a goal on 12 minutes but he dragged his effort wide after finding space in the box. Despite Queens’ dominance, they survived a scare when Cove’s Adam Emslie let fly from distance. His low drive beat debutant keeper Jamie Sneddon but rattled back off the post. Queens did carve out another opportunity to edge ahead just before the interval when Allan’s floated cross found Reece Lyon who nodded just over. Peter Murphy’s troops did find the breakthrough on 66 minutes. A slick team move saw Clark feed Luissint. The midfielder danced past two defenders before picking out the bottom corner from 20 yards. The lead was doubled shortly after. Kennedy’s corner caused chaos in the Cove box and eventually fell to Lyon. From 25 yards out, the top goalscorer rifled a low strike through a sea of bodies and into the net to put the result beyond doubt. Queens could have added a third late on. Liam Smith’s mazy run set up substitute Seb Mason but Demus again stood tall to deny the on-loan Carlisle man. Smith then saw a final effort saved after a sharp exchange with Zander Mackenzie. QoS: Sneddon, Hewitt, Douglas (Rogerson 89), Dickenson, Penman, Smith, Lyon, Luissint (Johnstone 88), Kennedy, Clark (Mackenzie 88), Allan (Mason 64). Subs not used: Green, Charters, Stott, Ross. Cove: Demus, J. Eguaibor, Harrington, Darge, Parker, Yule, Masson (Maguire 73), Emslie, O’Donnell (D. Eguaibor 84), Teasdale (McAllister 78). Subs not used: Mutch, Bisland, Carrol, Strachan.