The general thought in the camp was that a good start was imperative for Queen's, but in fact, it couldn't have been worse. Alex Williams forced a stop from DC in the Queen's goal within seven seconds, and following that we lost a goal within 2 minutes.
A run up the right hand side carved a hole in the Queen's Park defence, and the cross was headed home by ex Celtic kid Bryan Prunty. The simplicity of this goal, was something which was becoming all too familiar to the Queen's faithful. Ayr were still looking the better team, and it was clear that we couldn't afford to waste any chances, or even half ones.
We got one on 7 minutes, as the ball bobbled around the six yard box. Cairney and Coakley were both nearby, but neither of them could get enough on the ball to beat keeper Grindlay. Eight minutes later Ayr were screaming for handball in the Queen's box, but referee Crawford Allan waved away the penalty claims from the Honest Men.
While Ayr were still clearly on top of the game, we did have a great chance to level things up on 20 minutes. Barry Douglas inswinging corner was delightful and Jamie Brough powered his header wide from six yards. We went on to regret that missed chance, as Ayr extended their lead on 25 minutes.
A break up the right hand side ended with a cross into the heart of the QP box where Bryan Prunty powered a header into the back of the net. From here on in, Ayr were dominant and they were missing chances galore. Williams headed one over before flashing a fantastic volley just wide of DC's right hand post. We soaked up lots of pressure during the remaining 10 minutes of the half and managed to keep the score down at 2-0, as we went into the break.
Queen's emerged five minutes before the second half was due to begin, and this suggesed that Gardner Speirs had given them a rocket up the backside at half time. This was also shown by the two substitutions he made at the break. The ineffectual attacking duo of Robert Dunn and Adam Coakley, replaced by Ryan Holms and wee Davie Murray. This change seemed to make a difference straight away, as Spiders appeared more lively, Ryan Holms forcing a good stop from Grindlay following a Murray lay off.
We looked much more threatening, and on 50 minutes pulled one back. A corner from Douglas was flicked on by Jamie Brough, and the ball was flicked past Ryan Borris on the line by Tony Quinn. It was Quinno's first strike of the season and it set QP into a good attacking rythm. We were now creating chances, and Quinn came close with a glancing header before Murray wriggled himself into space before being denied by a great tackle by the giant Scott Walker.
Ayr were obviously riled by Queen's up turn in fortunes, and they had manager Brian Reid sent to the stands for an altercation with Quinn. Quinn couldn't hit the brakes and hurtled into the Ayr manager, who reacted furiously pushing Tony to the ground. There was no doubt that Reid had to be dismissed, but many were baffled by the booking of Quinn, who was obviously the innocent party in the whole affair.
This did disrupt Queen's rythm slightly, but we did have another chance. Murray forcing a great save from Grindlay when he looked odds on to net his first Spiders goal, however, Ayr were now coming forward in droves, and David Crawford made three great saves to keep the score down towards the end, following an injury to Agostini which saw Andy Boslem introduced in his place.
The final score was 2-1, and Queen's are now only a point off 10th, with two weeks until we clash with Peterhead at Hampden.
QUEEN'S PARK: David Crawford, Martin Ure, Barry Douglas, Damiano Agostini (Andy Boslem), Jamie Brough, Tony Quinn, Ross Dunlop, Paul Cairney, Adam Coakley (David Murray), John Neill, Robert Dunn (Ryan Holms)
SUBS NOT USED: Paul Harkins, Zander Cowie
GOALSCORER: Tony Quinn (50)
REFEREE: Crawford Allan
ATTENDANCE: 1,434
MAN OF THE MATCH: Tony Quinn