Dunfermline Athletic 0 Queen’s Park 3

Sean Welsh returned to the starting line-up after a one-match suspension with Callum Davidson making changes in defence with Tommy Robson and Cameron Bruce moving to a bench of eight substitutes.

Josh Scott made his starting debut on the left however the Head Coach’s alterations were minimal in comparison to looking back at the starting line-up for The Spiders on their last trip to The KDM Group East End Park in May 2022, for a play-off semi-final win, with no outfield players from that day starting, and goalkeeper Calum Ferrie the only constant.

Welsh kicked the game off by passing to Jack Thomson, who was in a defensive position, with the best play of the opening minute coming on the left as Stuart McKinstry and Scott combined to probe deep into home territory.

That attack was repelled however Scott tried again as he burst into the box before being crowded out as he looked to shoot.

Shortly afterwards Dom Thomas looked to create space for a shot from 20 yards after cutting in from right wing with Ewan Otoo blocking the former Par’s hopes just as he pulled the trigger.

On seven minutes the hosts threatened for the first time when Lewis McCann twisted and turned before shooting with his well struck effort taking a deflection before being gathered by Ferrie.

The shot-stopper was called into action again as Josh Edwards launched a couple of long-throws towards the goal however Ferrie showed safe hands as he came off his line to gather.

Queen’s raced to the other end and Thomas released Jack Turner with a delicate pass and the midfielder saw his cut-back intercepted as Paton waited to pounce.

With 15 minutes played McKinstry showed his skills as he danced past two opponents to take Queen’s Park forward with the move only ended when Paton was dispossessed 25 yards out.

It was Michael O’Halloran’s turn to show his fancy footwork in Dunfermline’s next attack as he reached the edge of the box before unleashing a low shot that brought out a fine stop from a diving Ferrie.

Midway through the half Queen’s were inches away from the opening goal after a fine move involving Alex Bannon and Thomas provided Turner with an opening with the number 20’s shot taking a deflection before bouncing into the turf and only just clearing the Dunfermline bar.

After dealing with the visitors’ corner Dunfermline raced to the other end and after a period of probing and pushing Will Tizzard did well on the six-yard line to clear a low cross.

Nine minutes from the break another long-distance throw from Edwards put pressure on Ferrie with his one-handed punch away lobbed back into the danger area where a two-handed punch cleared before the referee blew for a foul on the goalkeeper.

On 43 minutes referee Sneddon ended Spiders’ hopes of a goal when he harshly penalised McKinstry for colliding with Aaron Comrie as he waited to connect with a Thomas effort that had taken a nick off a defender.

Half time – Dunfermline Athletic 0 Queen’s Park 0

Thomas had a chance early into the restart to cause danger when he intercepted a Chris Hamilton pass however his cross towards Paton, who was standing on the penalty spot, was cut out by Otoo.

The skipper then tried to grab a cheeky goal on 48 minutes when, with everybody expecting a cross from the left to go into the box, Thomas fired for goal and his effort missed the far post by inches.

On 53 minutes there were loud appeals by the Queen’s players and fans for a penalty as Paton tried to reach a whipped in Scott pass and looked to have had his jersey held however no whistle came.

Two minutes later McKinstry sneaked in from the left wing and fired for goal with his right foot from 25 yards however hopes of a first goal for the club ended as the ball rose over.

As Davidson’s side continued to look for a breakthrough Bannon surged forward 40 yards and continued his run into the box after feeding the ball to Paton on the right however the striker’s return ball could not pick out the defender.

There were further unsuccessful appeals for a spot-kick for the red shirted visitors when Paton fell to the turf as he chased a Thomas pass that had opened up the home defence.

The first goal in the game arrived on 66 minutes and it came for the Spiders after a fine move!!! Bannon fed Paton on the left flank and he slipped a pass to Scott who rolled the ball to Thomas. The QP skipper picked out McKinstry who whipped over a cross from 25 yards that TURNER met with a glancing header seven yards out that beat Deniz Mehmet.

Eight minutes the second goal of the game came and it was also for the Spiders!! THOMAS accepted the ball from Ben McPherson two yards from the right touchline and manoeuvred his way to the edge of the box before curling in a glorious left footed shot high into the far corner.

Queen’s looked to quickly kill the game off in different styles with Thomson trying his luck from the half-way line only to see the ball drop wide before Mackenzie Crase was denied from much closer range by Mehmet.

Dunfermline looked to get back into things however Ferrie kept his defence organised in front of him and rushed from his line to gather when it was breached.

Scott led an injury time breakaway however he to settle for a throw-in that was worked to Thomson who had a shot deflected for a corner that not everyone in Queen’s Park strips ventured forward for.

With three minutes of injury time a third goal arrived as Thomas slipped in CARSE who side-stepped Xavier Benjamin and rolled a shot into the far corner.

Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Ben McPherson (Zach Mauchin 80), Alex Bannon, Will Tizzard, Joshua Scott, Jack Thomson, Sean Welsh, Dom Thomas, Jack Turner (Louis Longridge 73), Stuart McKinstry (Mackenzie Carse 73), Ruari Paton.
Unused substitutes – Sam Kane (G/k), Tommy Robson, Cameron Bruce, Scott Williamson, Lewis Reid.

Dunfermline Athletic – Deniz Mehmet, Aaron Comrie, Josh Edwards, Chris Hamilton, Ewan Otoo, Joe Chalmers, Lewis McCann (Bradley Homes 67), Ben Summers (Owen Moffat 57), Paul Allan, Michael O’Halloran (Taylor Sutherland 80), Xavier Benjamin.
Unused substitutes – Max Little (GK), Miller Fenton, Sam Young, Jake Sutherland.

Referee: Iain Sneddon.