Cowdenbeath had to settle for a point in their relegation battle as it finished nine men against ten.
There was a fast and furious opening with firstly Ludovic Roy parrying an Paul Burns shot on 45 seconds. Play quickly moved to the opposite box with Scott Linton finding Archie Campbell.
He turned David Lilley before drilling home for an opener on just 68 seconds.
Queens responded on 17 minutes when Allan Johnston's pinpoint cross was sidefooted home by Danny Carmichael.
Jimmy Nicholl's Cowdenbeath side were well aware of the importance of this game and worked tirelessly to go back in front. They were rewarded on the half hour when Campbell sent Roddy McKenzie the wrong way from the penalty spot after Ryan McGuffie's foul on Thomas O'Brien.
Queens levelled in first-half stoppage time after Derek Holmes pounced on a miscued clearance from O'Brien before side-footing home.
The Doonhamers went down to ten men on 75 minutes when Craig Reid was shown a straight red card for pulling down Campbell as he ran clean through on to sub Stevie Crawford's pass. Campbell, on his hat-trick, hung his head after watching McKenzie dive to his right to save his spot-kick.
The Blue Brazil went down to ten men on 83 minutes after Kenny Adamson received a second yellow for diving, and two minutes later they were reduced to nine when Colin Cameron got a second yellow for throwing the ball away in protest at another decision.
Queens Mad Man of he Match - Danny Carmicheal - Another outstanding performance from the youngster.