Queens reign over Caley after two goals in a minute

QUEEN of the South staged a dramatic late smash-and-grab to leapfrog Inverness Caley Thistle into fifth place in the Championship with an unlikely 2- 1 win in the Highlands.

Caley Thistle had t wice struck woodwork through Tom Walsh and Coll Donaldson before Walsh put them in front with a stunning 69th- minute volley.

It looked as if the home side had done enough for victory but Queens had other ideas. Scott Mercer equalised seven minutes from time when he drove home a cross from Jordan Marshall and, before Caley Thistle realised what had hit them, Stephen Dobbie came up with the match-winner less than a minute later.

There was similar drama at East End Park as Dunfermline let a t wo- goal half- time lead slip and had to be content with a point in a 2- 2 draw with Alloa Athletic.

Alloa extended their unbeaten run to five games thanks to a double from top- scorer Alan Trouten, his second deep into injury time.

Manager Jim Goodwin admitted his team were outplayed in the first half.

“We were off it during the first 45 minutes – didn’t compete, didn’t show composure and we were delighted to get to half time only 2- 0 down,” he said. “These players have great spirit, never give up and they can be proud of their efforts.”

Aidan Keena scored a wonderful opening goal for Dunfermline, pivoting and sending an unstoppable 20-yard shot past Neil Parry to put the home side in front.

Jordan Kirkpatrick almost equalised in Alloa’s next attack but Lee Robinson was well positioned to make a fine save.

Dunfermline extended their lead when Keena whipped over a cross and Iain Flannigan turned the ball into his own net, attempting to clear.

But it all changed after half time. Trouten pulled a goal back four minutes after the restart after great work from Dario Zanatta and, just when it seemed as if Dunfermline had held out, he struck a shot across Lee Robinson in injury time to salvage a point.

It was deeply frustrating for Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston.

“We became nervy when Alloa pulled one back and it gave them a lift but I didn’t see them scoring again,” he admitted.

“I thought we had done enough to see the game out and there didn’t appear to be any danger but to lose a goal the way we did right at the end was criminal. It’s a killer blow when that happens.”