Championship title chasers endure a day to forget
Queens survive ‘nightmare’ finish to halt losing run
GARY NAYSMITH watched Queen of the South end their seven-game losing streak by shocking title contenders Dundee United — then blasted the officials for his living ‘nightmare’ in the final few minutes.
Naysmith celebrated a first league win since defeating league leaders Ross County in January as Queens held on for victory thanks to Stephen Dobbie’s second-half penalty and Lyndon Dykes’ 57th- minute effort before Nicky Clark’s 71st-minute consolation.
But Queens were forced to survive more than five minutes of stoppage time, despite Naysmith claiming he wasn’t informed how much time was to be added on by referee Alan Muir, before they finally ended a horror run as they bid to climb clear of the relegation zone.
Naysmith said: ‘It was a complete nightmare towards the end.
‘My frustration comes from the fact the assistant referee was standing right in front of me and I asked him how long was being added, but I got no answer.
‘(Dundee United manager) Robbie (Neilson) said to me he thought it was five minutes but we just didn’t know. I didn’t even see a board up.
‘I had no way of finding out how long we were playing, so you could imagine what I was going through.
‘He passed me a few times in the last few minutes but said nothing. There was no courtesy. But I don’t want that to take anything away from my players’ efforts.
‘I’m delighted for all of them. Some doubts start to creep in when you’re on a bad run, and I’m the one the players look to for answers.’
United had a chance to keep the pressure on leaders Ross County after three wins on the spin — and they should have taken a 13th-minute lead. Sam Stanton set free Paul McMullan whose shot was parried by Queens No 1 Jack Leighfield.
As the rebound fell to Pavol Safranko, the Slovakian striker could only shoot right at Leighfield who smothered the rebound. It was a tense opening with so much at stake for both sides and United threatened again in 22 minutes.
This time on-loan Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds’ header from Stanton’s in-swinging corner was nodded off the line by Queens full-back Scott Mercer.
Then, almost immediately after at the other end, Dobbie hit a low left-foot shot which home keeper Benjamin Siegrist fisted to safety.
United remained slightly on top, though, and next up was Stanton to try his luck with a 20-yard shot which Leighfield did well to deflect at the expense of a corner.
But the home side survived a scare in 32 minutes. Siegrist came racing well outside his box and attempted to chest the ball clear. The loose ball fell to Andrew Stirling 30 yards from goal but with Siegrist in no-man’s land, Stirling chipped wide.
It was a massive let-off for the home team who knew they needed a goal to settle the nerves among the home support.
With Alloa leading County at half-time, United looked to go on the front foot but it was Queens who drew first blood.
A neat one-two involving Dykes and Dobbie resulted in the latter being barged in the back by Stanton, leaving referee Muir with no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Dobbie to send Siegrist the wrong way for his 39th goal of the season. Two minutes later, United came within inches of equalising when Safranko met Jamie Robson’s cross but watched his header come crashing back off the post.
Queens went further ahead when Dobbie’s flick was perfect for Dykes to run onto and he calmly poked a shot through the legs of Siegrist.
United gave themselves a lifeline when Clark rose to guide his header from substitute Peter Pawlett’s cross high into the top corner.
Safranko should then have levelled from Calum Butcher’s 85th-minute delivery but headed over the bar from close range.
Tannadice boss Neilson knew this was three points dropped, as he said: ‘I’m very disappointed when you consider how the other result went with Ross County. We dominated and created loads of chance but just didn’t put them in the net.
‘It’s still very open at the top, though, as Ross County have to play Inverness on Tuesday and there’s plenty to play for.
‘It’s very disappointing, though, because it’s a game we should have won and we can’t dress it up any other way.’