Fifers frustrated as unbeaten run ends

DUNFERMLINE: Result not a fair reflection of game, says midfielder

DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 0 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1

A late sucker punch strike from Queen of the South substitute Josh Todd ended Dunfermline’s four-game unbeaten league run and left everyone at the club wondering why they had failed to take anything from a 90-minute encounter with the Dumfries side which they had dominated from start to finish.

The visitors scored the winner with what was their solitary goal attempt during the entire match and manager Gary Naismith admitted afterwards that his team’s game plan had been to stifle the Pars, a tactic which was acknowledged by Dunfermline midfielder Aidan Connolly who was clearly frustrated at the unsatisfactory outcome.

“I felt we dominated large parts of the game” said Connolly.

“I don’t think our keeper had a single save to make.

“We struggled to break them down but we still managed to create a number of chances and their keeper’s made a few good saves. We’re a good side and we know that teams will come here to sit in and try to hit us on the counter attack.

“We just have to get better at breaking teams down when that happens.”

Connolly is looking ahead to next week’s clash with his former club Dundee United, hoping that the Tangerines will come to East End Park with a more positive mindset, creating an environment for a more open contest.

“We’ll get more space in attacking areas and have more time on the ball, he said.

“I’m looking forward to the game as I still know a few of their boys from my time at Tannadice.”

During a one-sided first half, Dunfermline created two excellent chances to open the scoring, the first on the half hour when Connolly embarked on an exhilarating run through the left side of the Doonhamers’ defence before setting up the unmarked Louis Long ridge with a perfectly weighted cut back.

Longridge, however, normally so deadly from such situations, sent the ball high over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

Shortly afterwards Longridge’s strike partner Andy Ryan made space for himself inside the box before firing in a curling shot which looked to be heading for the net until Queens keeper Alan Martin dived to make an outstanding fingertip save.

The home side’s attacking momentum continued after the break and Martin again kept the scores level as he touched a Lee Ashcroft header over the bar.

The warning bells should have been ringing for Allan Johnston’s men when Queens’ frontman Stephen Dobbie broke through before being denied by Stephen Craigen’s last-ditch tackle and two minutes later Todd sent a measured shot beyond Lee Robinson for what proved to be the winner.

“It was a really sore one to take,” said Pars boss Johnston.

“Only one team looked like winning that game but you have to take your chances when you’re on top like we were today.”

I felt we dominated large parts of the game. We just have to get better at breaking teams down. AIDAN CONNOLLY

Picture: Craig Brown. Jackson Longridge tries his luck on goal with this ambitious overhead kick.