“They did have the bulk of the play during the second half but our defence held firm and didn’t allow them to create any clear-cut chances,” said McCall. “Overall we were the better side and it was great for the crowd to see a win at last.”
Queens started with a bang and it was only a fine save that prevented them from scoring in just 20 seconds when Stephen Docherty allowed Graham Weir to slip past him, but goalkeeper Stephen Robertson swept away the striker’s shot from 12 yards with his feet. Then Andy Thomson brought the Airdrie keeper to his knees with a rasping drive.
Queens broke the deadlock on nine minutes, however. Robertson upended Weir as he ran in on goal and John O’Neill hammered the spot-kick into the net.
Airdrie began to pick themselves up from their setback and soon had the Dumfries defenders working hard to keep them at bay. The game developed into a dour midfield struggle but suddenly burst into life just before the interval when Brian McPhee created an opening only to see Queens goalkeeper Colin Scott block his first attempt from six yards, and then Stuart Lovell clear his follow up off the line. At the other end, Eric Paton failed to connect properly with a cross from Willie Gibson just two yards out and sent the ball past.
Airdrie took up the running immediately after the break in a bid for a quick equaliser but they found themselves up against an equally determined defence intent on holding onto their lead. Airdrie substitute Steven McDougall had a chance during that early spell but fired the ball well over. The visitors’ best chance came when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Paul Lovering’s shot was blocked by the wall.
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It almost became a siege of the Dumfries goal with Queens toiling and their forwards seen only in rare raids. Even so, they increased their lead on 75 minutes when Andy Thomson won the ball in a breakaway, sent in a shot which Robertson could only palm away and Paul Burns swept it into the net.
Airdrie’s day got worse as they finished with 10 men when Stephen McKenna was stretchered off five minutes from time.
STAR MAN: Graham Weir (QoS)
Player ratings. QoS: Scott 7, Paton 7, Dillon 7, J Thomson 7, O’Neill 6, Lovell 7, Burns 7, McStay 6 (Bowey 56min, 5) Gibson 6, Weir 8 (Mullen 66min, 5), A Thomson 7 (Aitken 76min, 4)
Airdrie United: Robertson 6, McKenna 7, Lovering 7 Coyle 6 (McDougall 46min, 6), Docherty 7, Dunn 6 (McGowan 57min, 5), Hardie 7, Holmes 7, McLaren 7 (Twigg 76min, 4), Prunty 6, McPhee 6
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Scorers: QoS: O’Neill 9 pen, Burns 75
Booked: Robertson 8, McKenna 84
Referee: C Richmond
Attendance: 1,650