HANDY ANDY SEALS IT FOR QUEENS

Queens left it late in collecting all three points with a 2-1 victory over Clyde.

But it was a great tonic for manager Ian McCall, who had earlier in the week signed a new two-year contract.

Thomson - dramatic late winner

He said: "It was a victory we deserved and it was a vital win. It lifts us to within two points of third bottom Stranraer and sets us up to pull up the table in the run-in."

Queens had the best of the early play, but the swirling wind and hard ground cost them a chance right at the start when Paul Burns was left in the clear but just couldn't control the ball.

The Dumfries side certainly made chances but just could not find the net, and they had a scare just before the break when Colin Scott made a tremendous save in taking the ball from the feet of Paul McHale as he seemed certain to net a cross from Craig Bryson.

Clyde had the better of the early exchanges in the second half, but it was Queens who broke the deadlock. They were awarded a penalty after 53 minutes when Robert Harris, under pressure, handled in the box and John O'Neill slotted the ball home from the spot.

Clyde pushed forward in a bid to level the score, but it was not until 12 minutes from time that their pressure paid off. McHale trailed the ball down the left wing and put a cross over the heads of the Dumfries defenders for substitute Douglas Imrie to crack home with a tremendous volley.

Both sides went for a winner and the break came to Queens three minutes from time. The Clyde defence failed to clear a free-kick which Willie Gibson sent high into the box, and substitute Andy Thomson was on the spot to touch it home.

Clyde's assistant boss Joe Miller said: "I was disappointed at the performance and it has been made clear to the players that the standard was not up to scratch and there is no room for complacency - we aim to finish as high up the table as possible."


DUKE'S VERDICT - Queens were staring down the barrel of a gun with about a minute to go when up popped Andy Thomson to squeeze the ball home after great work by Mullen. There was absolute mayem at the end as the terraces erupted and tempers frayed in the technical area in front of the main stand. This was a big result for Queens and thoroughly deserved although it must be said it was an awful game of football at times. Once again our midfield stuttered but we hung in there and ground out the result.
The pressure is now well on trully on the Cleyholers.

DUKE'S MAN OF THE MATCH - Gibson and Aitken impressed but my award goes to Stuart Lovell who organised the Queens defence superbly.

O'Neill slots home a penalty Jim Thomson goes close