The spoils were shared in the Spiders' opening match of the cinch League 1 season as a second half header from Charlie Fox cancelled out Liam Watt’s opener at Bayview.
Laurie Ellis made two changes from the side that defeated Annan in the final group game of the Premier Sports Cup as Willie Muir returned and Englishman Charlie Fox came into the defence.
It was the hosts who got their noses in front after just seven minutes as the ball was worked out to the left side for Liam Watt who took a couple of touches infield before unleashing a fine effort into the top far corner leaving Muir with no chance.
Queen’s nearly hit back instantly as Biggar lined up a fierce snap-shot but it was well held by Scott Gallagher between the sticks.
The result was the same from Tommy Robson’s free-kick after Grant Gillespie was fouled on the edge of the area, the left-back’s effort had plenty behind it but was straight at the goalkeeper.
As the game drew towards half-time, Sean Brown latched onto a ball over the top of the defence and looked poised to finish but for an excellent last-ditch intervention from Charlie Fox.
Robson then took on another free-kick in a good area for the visitors but again Gallagher was equal to it as the team just lacked that spark in the final third going into the break.
After half-time there was instant response. Liam Brown’s deep corner was headed downwards by Fox and past Gallagher for 1-1, the prefect start to the second period.
Mid-way through the half, the Spiders should have been in front.
Liam Brown did well to slide a ball through for Lewis Moore but he got the finishing touch all wrong as he blasted over.
Moore had another chance not long later from the returning Louis Longridge’s cross from the left but his header cleared the bar again.
East Fife were beginning to struggle on the ball at this point as Queen’s started to dominate.
Darren Young’s side did see an opening down the left through Slattery but Muir was there to make the save and bravely gather the loose ball.
Longridge then sent in another teasing ball from the left which had just too much on it for the stretching Jake Davidson at the back post and despite some late pressure from Queen’s, the points were shared.
A better second half from the visitors who now face Cove Rangers at home next week as they look to return to winning ways.
Queen’s Park: Muir, Doyle, Morrison, Fox, Robson, Davidson (Thomson 85’), Gillespie, Moore, Brown, Biggar (Longridge 67’) Murray. Subs not used: Ferrie, Lyon, McHugh, Yeats, Nicol.
East Fife: Gallagher, Mercer (Steele 81’), Dunlop, Higgins, Slattery, Denholm, McManus, Newton, Watt, Brown (Cunningham 75’) Smith (Dow 85’) . Subs not used: Smith, Murdoch, Walls, Anderson.
Referee: Chris Fordyce
Reporter: Ryan Brown