For Ryan out loud don't call me a lucky charm; IRN-BRU SFL.

Byline: BERT HOUSTON REPORTS

QOS 4

AIRDRIE UTD 0

RYAN McCANN insists he is no lucky charm - even though Queen of the South have racked up seven points from a possible nine since his return from England.

The 27-year-old defender spent the closing five months of last season at Palmerston - during which time Queens never lost at home. He then left for League Two Morecambe only to return last month and help the club end a nightmare run of 12 games without a win.

The former Celt said: "The boys have been brilliant and although we were up against an Airdrie side that played half the match with 10 men, we produced good football and thoroughly deserved to win.

"There's no reason why we can't go on and climb up the table now the injuries are behind us."

Top scorer Stephen Dobbie has also rediscovered the form that helped lift Queens to the top of the table in October.

The 26-year-old striker went an agonising three months without a goal but has hit four in his last three games. He said: "It's great to be back on the mark and, like the rest of the boys, I'm enjoying my football."

Dobbie scored from the spot in 35minutes after Paul Burns had been downed in the box by keeper Stephen Robertson.

Five minutes later rock-bottom Airdrie's fate was sealed when Kevin McDonald was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Neil Scally.

Seven minutes after the break Queens rocked them again.

The ball broke to Jamie McQuilken midway down the left wing and he held off a challenge before sending over a high cross that Bob Harris raced from almost the halfway line to meet and head past the keeper from just inside the box.

Dobbie was on target again 15 minutes later when he caught the defence on the wrong foot and slipped the ball through the keeper's legs.

Sub David Weatherston bagged No.4 six minutes from time when he found himself with ample time to pick his spot in the net. The defeat left Airdrie isolated at the bottom, four points behind Clyde from a game more played.

Boss Kenny Black said: "We're not sitting around moping. A dozen games are left and we'll take each one as it comes."

He felt the sending-off was harsh. Black said: "I thought it was a booking and that was all. Kevin is not a malicious player.

"But at the end of the day we were beaten by a better side."

CAPTION(S):

QUEENS ACE CARD: Stephen Dobbie; UP FOUR IT: David Weatherston bangs home the final goal