Doonhamers stay top after Hibees draw
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH retained their lofty spot at the top of the Scottish Championship after drawing 0-0 with favourites and second-placed Hibs.
The Doonhamers have a onepoint lead over their Edinburgh rivals, who had Lewis Stevenson sent off early in the second half.
Falkirk stay in third spot after they beat visiting Ayr United 2-0.
The Bairns took the lead courtesy of a Darryl Meggatt own-goal in 78 minutes, with Lee Miller making sure of the points in time added on.
Falkirk manager, Peter Houston, said: “We were the luckiest team in the world today. In the first half, Ayr were more mobile than us, we were pedantic, slow and pedestrian.”
Dundee United gained some revenge for their midweek League Cup exit at the hands of Morton.
Jim Duffy’s Greenock side came to Tannadice in confident mood but two late goals by Tony Andreu gave United the points, despite Morton pulling one back even later in time added when United’s Sean Dillon put through his own net.
United manager Ray McKinnon said: “Andreu is worth his weight in gold, that’s for sure.”
Raith Rovers looked to be on easy street when they went 3-0 up in the first half through counters by Kevin McHattie (15), Ross Callachan (34) and Scott Roberts (35).
Dumbarton, though, fought back in the second half and reduced to deficit to one with strikes from Ryan Stevenson in 71 minutes and Robert Thomson six minutes later. But they could not find the leveller and had Gregor Buchanan dismissed for a second yellow card in 89 minutes.
Raith boss Gary Locke reflected on the nervy finish, saying: “For 65 minutes, we were different class and could have been five or six in front, then were sloppy towards the end.”
In the evening game, Dunfermline took on St Mirren and came from behind at half-time to win 4-3.
John Sutton hit a first-half double for the Buddies, with Nicky Clark replying for the Pars. Andy Webster put through his own goal in 62 minutes to restore parity but Clark put the hosts ahead 15 minutes later. After Ryan Hardie levelled for Saints, Farid El Alagui hit the home side’s winner with five minutes to go.