IAIN HAS FINAL SAY IN BATTLE WITH WILL

IAIN RUSSELL secured a vital equaliser for Queen of the South — before trying to wind up Bairns’ goal hero Will Vaulks in a feisty battle at Palmerston. The visitors, who had failed to score on their two previous league visits to Palmerston, arrived in Dumfries brimming with confidence having lost just once in the league on their travels this season. They deservedly went in front after 17 minutes when Vaulks sent a header soaring into the net from a Blair Alston corner. Bairns keeper Danny Rogers produced two excellent saves from Alex Harris and Kyle Jacobs but could do nothing to stop Derek Lyle’s penalty in 35 minutes after the striker was brought down by David McCracken. Falkirk thought they had secured their fifth successive Championship victory when they went back in front in 83 minutes, sub Lee Miller knocked home the rebound after Peter Grant’s header had rattled the crossbar. But Queen’s were level within a minute when Andy Dowie sent a long ball down the right for Russell to drive the ball home from 12 yards. Instead of celebrating with his team-mates, Russell headed straight to Vaulks to goad him. ‘He gave me a wee pat when they went 2-1 up, so when we scored a minute later it was nice to give him a wee tap back,’ said Russell. ‘We more than deserved it, especially with the season we’ve been having. When they scored to go 2-1 up, it was frustrating, so to score right away was great. ‘It was important for our confidence that we got a point out of the game.’ Vaulks responded: ‘It was a bit heated. We’ve had a few run-ins with Queen’s in the past and a few of the players know each other. Russell seems to think he can wind me up. It was a tough result to take but it keeps our unbeaten run going.’