Dunfermline 1 Queen of the South 2

cinch Championship: five changes as Todd, Donaldson, Thomas, Polworth and O’Hara return. Josh Edwards (6) 1-0: Joe Chalmers o.g. (51) 1-1: Darragh O’Connor (71) 1-2:

The play offs were always the most likely outcome from this evening but to lose the final home league match of the season was a bitter pill for players and supporters alike.

Queen of the South will be playing in League One next season after their relegation was confirmed on Saturday with their 1-1 draw at home to Ayr United. Dunfermline’s task in this the last Championship fixture of the season was to avoid joining them there. The Pars in ninth had to better Ayr United’s result against Partick Thistle but a win for the home side at Somerset Park would send Dunfermline into the Championship play offs.

John Hughes reverted to his starting eleven that defeated Ayr United in the previous home match. Matty Todd, Coll Donaldson, Dom Thomas, Liam Polworth and Kevin O’Hara returned as Aaron Comrie, Leon Jones, Rhys Breen, Lewis McCann and Nikolay Todorov dropped out.

Willie Gibson’s Queens made one change with Ruari Paton starting in place of Ruben Soares Junior. The visitors entered the field from the East Stand but in marked contrast a large and vociferous home support welcomed their side who sprinted on to the park.

An extra large banner paid tribute to retiring Chairman Ross McArthur - “One of our Own” before play got underway with the Dumfries side attacking the goal in front of the McCathie Stand.

Lee Connelly flashed the ball across the Pars six yard box within 35 seconds but it was the home side that would take the early lead. O’Hara struck the ball wide to Todd and the 20 year old’s cross found Josh EDWARDS. His first effort was blocked by Willie Gibson bur Steven Lawless fed it back to him and his second attempt from six yards evaded both the keeper and a defender on the line. 1-0

Almost at the same time Aaron Muirhead converted a penalty for Ayr United to put them one up against Partick.

Edwards movement forward to pick out Polworth on the left side of the box nearly yielded a second. The cut back was perfect for the defender’s left foot put he pulled his shot 17th minute narrowly wide. Next minute Lawless fought his way deep into the Queens box and when the ball landed for O’Hara he tried to pass into the net and his effort was cleared.

The visitors were forced into a substitution at the midpoint of the half when Euan East was unable to continue and Roberto Nditi came on in his place. Queens forced a couple of corners on the right but they were unable to make anything of them.

Jakub Stolarczyk was forced to fist away a Connelly shot after the 22 year old had capitalised on a misplaced Efe Ambrose pass out of defence.

At the other end O’Hara’s 38th minute effort was deflected for a corner on the right but unfortunately that changed nothing. Edwards next created another opportunity for O’Hara in the Queens box but that was closed out. Then O’Hara raced in but just failed to turn in a Polworth ball to the left post.

It was a first half in which Dunfermline created several chances but took only one. The news from Somerset Park did not help, the home side 2-0 up.

Half time: Dunfermline 1 Queen of the South 0

Dunfermline came out of the traps fast forcing two early corners on the left but it was Queens who would get the next goal. A 51st minute Gibson free kick from the right was met by CHALMERS at the far post and he headed into his own net instead of out for a corner. 1-1

A 54th minute penalty appeal when Polworth was floored in the box was waved away by referee David Munro and there were ironic jeers from the crowd when a free kick was next awarded in the Pars favour. Thomas fired the free kick in and Ambrose’s attempt was kept out by the left upright before the offside flag was raised.

Thomas had a shot from the edge of the box blocked before in 63 minute he dispossessed Darragh O’Connor on the left and produced a great cross that O’Hara slid in to guide on target only for keeper Josh Rae to tip over his bar.

Graham Dorrans replaced Dan Pybus but it was the visitors who made the difference scoring from a 71st corner. It was swung in from the right by Connelly and O’CONNOR netted with a right footed shot at the far post past his former Leicester City team mate in the Fifers goal. 1-2

Lewis McCann and Bobby Kamwa were late subs and both came close. McCann from a Thomas cross and then Kamwa after controlling the ball on the left side of the box and sending his shot narrowly wide right.

The 3-1 scoreline at Ayr meant the play offs were assured long before the final whistle. A sad end to the league fixtures.

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