QOS3–1Dumbarton

Dumbarton local Adam Brooks scored twice as Queen of the South inflicted a third defeat of the year on Stevie Farrell’s Sons.


Boss Farell handed Kristian Webster a full debut as the Rangers loanee partnered Mark Durnan and Cammy Clark in a back three.


But at a ground where they had already tasted defeat twice this season, they were dealt a blow before kick-off - as keeper Owen Hayward picked up a back injury in the warm-up, and was replaced by Paddy O’Neil.


Dumbarton had fallen behind in 14 of their 20 previous league games, and had that all too familiar feeling again with just three minutes on the clock.


Brennan Dickenson’s powerful run down the right saw him breeze beyond a couple of challenges before crossing, with Sons getting themselves into all kinds of bother - and a delighted Adam Brooks stabbed into the empty net.


Sons could’ve found themselves two behind inside the opening 10 minutes, but stand-in keeper O’Neil was alert to gather Matty Douglas’ header at his far post.


That looked to finally spark the visitors, who had battled through road closures and traffic chaos in the wake of Storm Eowyn to make it to Palmerston for kick-off, into life - as Stevie Farrell’s men started to show their threat.


A surging Finlay Gray run saw him denied by a strong Ross Stewart save, before a sensational bit of skill from Craig McGuffie sent Kalvin Orsi in on goal - but he was denied by the assistant’s flag.


More good play from McGuffie and Orsi then found Ryan Blair on the edge of the area, but he had his shot charged down by Matty Douglas.


It felt as if a goal was coming however and it duly arrived on the half hour mark - courtesy of two ex Doonhamers.


Craig McGuffie’s pinpoint corner was perfect for skipper Mark Durnan to bullet a header beyond Stewart from point blank range.


Sons then should’ve been ahead. Jinky Hilton’s curling cross after some patient build up found the unmarked Finlay Gray in between Queens’ centre-halves - but the midfielder’s header was superbly clawed clear by Stewart, with Kalvin Orsi unable to turn in the rebound.


Just as in the first-half, and the previous two games in Dumfries this season however, Queens started the second-half well on top.


The impressive Dickenson had an effort hacked off the line by Mark Durnan with just four second-half minutes played, before they restored their lead - as Brooks netted again less than 10 minutes after the restart.


Josh Walker robbed Kristian Webster of possession on the edge of the box and raced in on goal, squaring for former Knoxland Primary pupil Brooks to stab into the net from inside the six-yard box.


And Sons were again guilty of being their own worst enemies 10 minutes later, as Queens put the result beyond any doubt.


Carlo Pignatiello took one touch too many as he cut inside with the ball, conceding a foul right on the edge of his own box. Former Colchester United forward Dickenson stepped up, and arrowed the resulting free-kick into the net .


Queens could, and should, have added to the scoreline as they dominated the rest of the match. Dickenson chased down a short back-pass with O’Neil cannoning the ball off the forward and over the bar, before Brooks blazed over a cutback from substitute Jordan Allan.


Allan then raced in on goal but was denied one-on-one by O’Neil, with Josh Walker’s brilliant lob on the rebound cleared off the line. January addition Allan looked determined to get himself on the scoresheet, as he just misjudged his run to have a close range finish chalked off for offside.


The former Clyde man then turned provider for fellow sub Fraser Brydon, but he fired straight at O’Neil when it looked easier to score, before Sons’ Kalvin Orsi sliced an Allan shot over his own bar.


O’Neil had been Dumbarton’s busiest man in the second-half, and right on the final whistle he was at it again - tipping over Oscar McIntyre’s cross-shot as Sons escaped with the deficit still looking respectable.