10 Men Queens Frustrate The Dees

Last updated : 24 March 2010 By Queens MAD

A FIGHTING QUEENS WHO PLAYED WITH 10 MEN FOR MOST OF THE MATCH CLAIMED A SHARE OF THE POINTS IN A PULSATING MATCH AT DENS PARK



Leigh Griffiths won and converted a 16th-minute penalty for Dundee, as Marc McAusland saw red for the challenge.

The visitors drew level when Bob Harris curled home a free-kick on 58 minutes.

Dundee thought they had been awarded a second penalty in injury time but referee Mike Tumilty changed his mind upon consultation with his assistant.

The result allowed Inverness to cut Dundee's lead at the top of the First Division to just one point, with fourth-placed Ross County seven points off the summit having played three games less.

A speculative shot by Paul Burns dipped over the Dundee crossbar in the opening minutes.

The Dumfries side threatened again when Willie McLaren crossed for the stretching Rocco Quinn, but the midfielder could not get enough purchase on his shot and goalkeeper Tony Bullock claimed the ball.

Having looked comfortable in the early stages of Kenny Brannigan's first match in charge, the complexion of the game changed for Queens when McAusland got on the wrong side of Griffiths and resorted to pulling the striker back as he chased a loose back-pass by Craig Reid.

Referee Mike Tumilty promptly pointed to the spot and dismissed the defender before Griffiths stroked calmly into the net from 12 yards.

Despite their advantage in numbers, Dundee struggled to impose themselves for the rest of the first half and lost their lead after the break when Brian Kerr conceded a free-kick and Harris beat Bullock with a superbly executed free-kick.

The hosts pressed for a second goal but two efforts by Gary Harkins sailed over before substitute Richie Hart arrowed a shot wide.

At the other end, Jamie Adams dragged a shot beyond Bullock's right-hand post from a promising position.

Hart could not keep his shot down after combining with Harkins and Dundee almost went behind twice in the closing minutes as Bullock made crucial saves.

Sean O'Connor had a low shot blocked by the keeper and, moments later, fellow substitute David Weatherston cut in from the left and saw his powerful drive beaten away by Bullock.

Bullock's heroics were matched by counterpart David Hutton as Harkins's rasping shot was parried away from goal.

Tumilty appeared to point to the spot in the dying moments when he suspected Burns had handled.

However, after protests from the Queens players and advice from his assistant, the referee changed his decision to a corner for the home side, from which they could not profit.

A real fighting display by Queens which they might well have won but most fans will be heartened by this display and if we can keep the momentum going we will be back in the mix for a top four place.

An impressive start by Kenny Brannigan who despite going down to ten men gambled with 2 strikers up front throughout.

Queens Mad man of the Match - Bomber Harris - Another howitzer of a free kick got us back in the game.