Stenhousemuir maintained their second place in the league courtesy of a last-minute goal by Colin Cramb that denied Queens Park a draw at Ochilview.
Last season the clubs were inseparable at Ochilview, and this match appeared to be going in a similar vein before Cramb's strike
For most of the game it looked as if a no-scoring draw was on the cards as both teams had squandered opportunities to open the scoring. Cramb, who had been one of the culprits, eventually made the breakthrough with a close-range header from a Jim Mercer cross.
The home team had created the better chances, and the Spiders' custodian David Crawford had come to the rescue on a couple of occasions to deny the Warriors' John Paul McBride, who had threatened with a couple of well-struck free-kicks. The first effort after 52 minutes was tipped on to the post by Crawford. Then after 74 minutes the keeper tipped another free-kick over the bar after a deflection off the wall.
Queens Park, as usual with their high work ethic, had pressurised the home side throughout the game, making it difficult for the Warriors to get any sort of rhythm into their play.
The change in Stenhousemuir's tactics to playing with three up front and three at the back from the start of the game did not look as if would reap rewards as their defence became more exposed as the game progressed.
Queens Park, however, lacked the cutting edge in their game to take advantage of those frailties, despite looking the stronger team in the last phase of the game.
Cramb's goal was a cruel blow for Queens Park, who had put so much into the game not to get anything out of it.