Super Dario nets to sink Blue Toon
MacPherson delighted to end draw run
Gus MacPherson hailed his side’s performance as they broke their run of six draws on the bounce with a 2-0 win against Peterhead.
A fine first-half strike from Dario Zanatta and a Ryan McGeever effort after the break was enough to secure the points for the Spiders.
The result lifts the Hampden Park side to within two points of the third play-off spot, currently occupied by Brechin City.
MacPherson said: “The difference was that bit of quality from Zanatta. It settled us down because we were on edge at the start.
“But we’ve shown what a good group we are. It’s credit to their commitment and desire and they get the result.”
MacPherson was forced into changes, with Jamie McKernon suspended and Ross Millen and Conor McVey missing after limping off against Albion Rovers last Tuesday.
There was an early scare for Queen’s, with Willie Muir dropping a simple cross from Grant Anderson before recovering to save at Jordan Brown’s feet.
Muir was certainly the busier keeper but it was all through his own doing. In 12 minutes he was too casual with a kick-out and it was blocked by the energetic Anderson but, fortunately for Queen’s, the ball rebounded to a home shirt to be cleared.
The home fans were on their feet on 29 minutes when Queen’s took a crucial lead with a magnificent goal. Remarkably, it was their first strike against Blue Toon this season and it was well worth the wait.
Ryan McGeever calmly pulled down the ball in the centre circle and pushed it out to Sean Burns, who delivered a splendid pinpoint pass to Zanatta.
The young Canadian controlled it in the box and appeared to be turning away from goal but he suddenly spun and crashed a super right-foot shot that burst past Fraser Hobday high into the net.
Rory McAllister had the ball in the net in 53 minutes but the flag had been raised for offside.
Queen’s quiet opening to the second period finally sparked into life a minute later. Again, it was the Burns-Zanatta combination as the striker collected a pass and drove into the box on the left before a low shot aimed at the far post beat Hobday and also MacPherson as it slid agonisingly past the upright.
Queen’s found the net for a second time on 72 minutes. The combative Kalvin Orsi won a corner on the left. It was cleared back out to the sub striker, who thrashed a low shot towards the far post and the diving Hobday could only parry the ball into the path of McGeever, leaving the big skipper with a tap-in.
Peterhead boss Jim McInally said: “I don’t think we deserved to lose the game but it’s a three way battle for survival now. It’s four cup finals left for us.”