Spiders troubled by Red Lichties defence

Queen’s Park failed to unlock a stubborn Arbroath defence as they remain rooted to the bottom of the Ladbrokes League One.

Former Scotland and Celtic keeper Rab Douglas enjoyed a clean sheet when he was drafted in for his debut over a year after signing with The Lichties.

And his job was made easier when Gavin Swankie and Colin Hamilton hit the back of the net, which moved the visitors into the play-off places while Queen’s dropped four points behind Forfar at the bottom.

Hampden boss Gus MacPherson said:“We conceded very cheap goals.

“We got the ball into good areas but we just couldn’t unlock them. “The second goal deflated them. “We lost the second goal through communication, which has been an issue for a wee while.

“It’s the decision making as well which is the critical thing for us.”

MacPherson’s stretched resources suffered further hits as Ciaran Summers, one of Queen’s most consistent players this season, came off injured after a shocking tackle by Jamie Hamill at Stranraer.

There was no surprise when he failed to make Saturday’s squad to face Arbroath.

Keeper Willie Muir was out with a knee injury and replaced by Michael White.

David Galt had also picked up a knock and did not figure, making it a busy Hampden treatment room with Ewan MacPherson, Michael Bailey and Kevin Green having already taken up temporary residence there.

Arbroath took the lead in 19 minutes when Danny Denholm found Swankie in the box and he curled a fine strike into the far corner.

Nine minutes into the second half the Lichties doubled their lead. Bobby Linn swung in a corner from the left and, although Scott Martin’s effort was saved, Hamilton hammered home the rebound from close range.

Spiders had their chances though, with Adam Cummins and Luke Donnelly failing to trouble Douglas from good positions.

Queen’s are still chasing their first home league win after six games at Hampden and Dunfermline will hope for good fortune when they arrive at the national stadium for a Scottish Cup second round clash on Saturday, 3pm.