THE Queen of the South fans arrived in fancy dress for the final league game of the season with perhaps Scooby Doo the pick of the bunch.
But it was classy Dunfermline – and the departing Mark Burchill – who ultimately stole the show with four second-half goals to sink a Queens side who have next month's Scottish Cup final against Rangers to look forward to, which is clearly of more im
portance.
Despite the lack of activity in front of goal, Queens almost took the lead when midfielder Stevie Tosh put Scott Robertson in the clear but in his attempt to lob the onrushing Paul Gallacher he knocked his effort wide of the post.
With half time only seconds away, Queens Paul Burns should have done better when he found himself with space on the right side of the box but could only shoot straight at Gallacher.
Then Scott Thomson, enjoying his testimonial year, stepped in for Dunfermline with a cool lob.
Iain Williamson made it 2-0 as he slotted home a brilliant pass from Calum Woods and Burchill, in his last game for the Fifers, headed into the net to put the game beyond doubt and completed a fine double with five minutes left.
It was a satisfying afternoon for Dunfermline's player/manager Jim McIntyre, while Queens and their fans will still be relishing the prospect of toppling Rangers on May 24 at Hampden.
The full article contains 241 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.