Queen of the South 2 Clyde 1

Last updated : 04 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Queens left it late in collecting all three points with a 2-1 victory over Clyde.

But it was a great tonic for manager Ian McCall, who had earlier in the week signed a new two-year contract.

He said: "It was a victory we deserved and it was a vital win. It lifts us to within two points of third bottom Stranraer and sets us up to pull up the table in the run-in."

Queens had the best of the early play, but the swirling wind and hard ground cost them a chance right at the start when Paul Burns was left in the clear but just couldn't control the ball.

The Dumfries side certainly made chances but just could not find the net, and they had a scare just before the break when Colin Scott made a tremendous save in taking the ball from the feet of Paul McHale as he seemed certain to net a cross from Craig Bryson.

Clyde had the better of the early exchanges in the second half, but it was Queens who broke the deadlock. They were awarded a penalty after 53 minutes when Robert Harris, under pressure, handled in the box and John O'Neill slotted the ball home from the spot.

Clyde pushed forward in a bid to level the score, but it was not until 12 minutes from time that their pressure paid off. McHale trailed the ball down the left wing and put a cross over the heads of the Dumfries defenders for substitute Douglas Imrie to crack home with a tremendous volley.

Both sides went for a winner and the break came to Queens three minutes from time. The Clyde defence failed to clear a free-kick which Willie Gibson sent high into the box, and substitute Andy Thomson was on the spot to touch it home.

Clyde's assistant boss Joe Miller said: "I was disappointed at the performance and it has been made clear to the players that the standard was not up to scratch and there is no room for complacency - we aim to finish as high up the table as possible."