Doonhamers retain Championship status

Posted Sunday, May 19, 2019 by PA

Queen of the South retained their Ladbrokes Championship status with a 3-1 aggregate play-off final victory over League One Raith.

A goalless draw in the second leg at Palmerston Park was enough for Allan Johnston’s side, who had done all the hard work at Stark’s Park on Wednesday when they emerged from the tie with a precious two-goal cushion.

Needing to score quickly, Raith were the better side in the opening exchanges, with Chris Duggan going closest in the 14th minute, only to be denied by Alan Martin.

The Doonhamers then took control and should have put the tie beyond Raith’s reach in the first half but Stephen Dobbie struck a post from 25 yards and was later denied superbly by Dean Lyness either side of Connor Murray firing narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Lyness then proved the difference between the sides, pulling off further fine saves to deny Barry Maguire and Murray again from 25 yards, as well as tipping a Dobbie header over, while Iain Davidson produced two blocks to thwart Murray and Lyndon Dykes.

In the closing stages it was surprising Dobbie failed to add to his 43 goals for the season as he had three shots, all of which came within inches but it did not prove detrimental as the home side comfortably clinched the overall win.