JIM THOMSON'S despair at his own goal was replaced by joy as he netted an equaliser to stretch Queen of the South's unbeaten home league record to 15 games after an entertaining draw.
The first 45 minutes were drab and both sides' midfields were wasteful and lethargic.
Veteran goalkeeper Alan Main did well to keep the match level with good saves on either side of half time, denying Stewart Kean, firstly with a shot, and then th
e same player with a point blank header.
The game came to life in the 52nd minute. A foul inside the box by Kevin Rutkiewicz on substitute David Weatherson gave a clear penalty and Dobbie made no mistake from the spot, drilling the ball past Main.
After 66 minutes a rare mistake by Thomson – trying to clear the danger after a Gary Irvine free kick – drew the scores level after the towering Queens captain headed the ball into his own net.
St Johnstone went 2-1 up in the 75th minute. Bell only managed to parry a header from substitute Derek Holmes and the player made no mistake with the follow-up.
The remarkable second half continued when Thomson capitalised after Main failed to hold a long ball in the 84th minute and the lanky central defender was delighted to score his second of the match – this time at the correct end.
In a league which remains tight and open, a draw will be what neither side were looking for – though a point apiece was a fair reflection between two sides keen to play attractive football.
The full article contains 270 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
