AFTER the pain of last week's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat, Dunfermline produced a pulsating performance to extinguish any lingering relegation fears.
This was the performance of a team playing like a wounded animal and was full of adrenalin and
passion with three goals produced in the first 34 minutes. Jim McIntyre had to make a change just before kick-off with the injured Steven Bell replaced by Nicky Phinn and the latter took his opportunity to repay his manager for the surprise late start.
Dunfermline showed positive intent from the outset with an assertive opening to the game. They had a few good attacking moves and the Doonhamers defence was struggling to deal with their direct style.
The breakthrough came through top scorer Andy Kirk who showed bravery when injuring himself in the process of beating keeper Lee Robinson to Phinn's dangerous cross to head home on 21 minutes.
Queens responded through 22-goal Stephen Dobbie looking to sign off in style and he fired a shot inches past from 22 yards.
However, the Fife side were eager to enhance their lead and after a period of good pressure, Calum Woods netted with a bullet header from Alex Burke's pinpoint cross on 26 minutes.
Stevie Tosh miscued wide from just eight yards on 31 minutes and the Dumfries club paid for that three minutes later when Phinn rifled a glorious shot beyond Robinson from 20 yards to put his side in a commanding position so early in the game.
The day went from bad to worse for Queens when Jim Thomson was shown a straight red card for stamping on Graham Bayne.
The full article contains 303 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
