THE lead at the top of the table changed hands yet again at the weekend, with Queen of the South going top on goal difference from last week's incumbents, Dundee, following their 2-0 home win over Ross County and Dundee's 1-1 draw at Dunfermline.
Long-serving midfielder Paul Burns opened the scoring in 25 minutes with a thumping 25-yard shot and then helped set up a second just before half-time when he cut the ball back to Stewart Kean, who slotted home.
It is the third time that Gordon Ch
isholm's men have reached the summit this season. Having been knocked off the following weekend on both previous occasions, Chisholm is hoping that their stay lasts longer this time.
"Everyone wants to knock the team in top spot off their perch and we have not handled that pressure so far," he said. "It is still a learning curve for some of our players but they stood up well to a lot of Ross County pressure in the second-half and we can travel to Ayr next weekend with confidence."
Dundee survived a first-half going over at East End Park to take the lead when Gary Harkins nodded in from a Sean Higgins corner with an hour gone. However, justice was done 13 minutes from time when substitute Graeme Bayne scored with his first touch when he headed in a Willie Gibson free-kick.
Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre said: "I thought we did enough to win the game but we have to learn to put the ball in the net when we are on top."
Dens Park boss Jocky Scott added: "We were perhaps tired after the Rangers game in midweek and I stuck with the same starting 11 as I felt they were due that after a great performance, although in hindsight I should have maybe freshened things up."
Partick Thistle have now lost a league goal and a league match at Firhill this season after Raith Rovers won 2-1 in Glasgow. Simon Donnelly fired the Jags ahead in 33 minutes, only for Ryan Wallace, who was hastily signed on loan from Hearts, to level for the injury-hit Fifers just before half-time with a stunning volley.
Raith's Robert Sloan slotted home the winner in the second-half when he turned home the loose ball after home goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey had blocked a Gregory Tade effort.
Rovers boss John McGlynn said: "That is us into third place but, more importantly, another three points nearer to safety and that's the way I will think until we are free from the bottom part of the table."
The installation of James Grady as Morton manager until the end of the season got off to a disappointing start as they became the first side to lose at Inverness on league business this season as they went down 4-1.
Inverness striker Adam Rooney copied his striking partner Richie Foran's hat-trick haul from last weekend to see off the Greenock men with Nauris Bulvitis also netting with Erik Paartalu scoring for Morton.
Caley manager Terry Butcher said: "I am delighted that we finally scored some goals for the fans here."
Airdrie won for the first time this season as they saw off Ayr United 3-1 at the Excelsior Stadium to send the Honest Men to the foot of the table. Alan Trouten grabbed a double for Airdrie with recent signing Diarmuid O'Carroll also getting on the scoresheet.
"All credit to the lads. It is only a start - but it is a start," said delighted Airdrie manager Kenny Black.
