QUEENS TAKE A VITAL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

QUEENS took what could be a significant step towards Championship safety with this crucial victory yesterday.

They also proved they can score goals without the injured Stephen Dobbie, while dragging Dunfermline on to the fringe of the relegation dogfight.

Gary Naysmith’s team are now three points off the foot of the table and one above the relegation play-off place with two games remaining.

‘That was a massive win for us,’ said Naysmith. ‘We knew we needed the three points and one would not have been enough.

‘We were outstanding but, the way the results have gone, we need at least one more win to ensure we stay up and, if we play like that, we will be fine. The performance was a real credit to the players.

‘The board said before the game that we will be full-time again next season and that was really important for us, as it was good timing and made our position clear when there had been rumours otherwise.’

Queens looked set for a dream start when a long punt from keeper Deniz Mehmet released Connor Murray in the first minute but the youngster blazed his shot wide.

He did much better 15 minutes later when he headed a Jordan Marshall cross on target, only for Ryan Scully to pull off a smart save.

Dunfermline might have taken the lead when Louis Longridge sent a shot flashing towards goal but debutant Mehmet made a fine save.

A minute from half-time, Queens grabbed the goal that brought their survival fight alive again.

Dunfermline struggled to clear the ball following a corner and Iain Wilson took control of the situation by charging forward and drilling low past Scully from 18 yards.

The lead was doubled seven minutes after the break in simple fashion.

Marshall sent Josh Todd clear with a throw-in and the Dundee-bound striker found the net with a curling finish.

The Pars, who now lead the Dumfries side by just three points and could still be caught by bottom club Falkirk, grabbed a consolation when Jackson Longridge headed in with the last touch of the ball from a corner.

Afterwards, disappointed Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford said: ‘We did not give ourselves a chance by letting Queens score so early in the second half.

‘It was a disappointing afternoon and the goals we gave away could have been prevented.

‘We are still outside the play-off positions, but we should be looking to get fifth place.

‘Injuries are testing us and we need to respond to the test, starting with the game against Morton next week.’