Derek Lyle scored the only goal of the game to hand Queen of the South a vital 1-0 victory over Falkirk this afternoon in their battle for the playoff places in the Scottish Championship.

The visitors were the first to threaten as John Baird launched a volley from the edge of the box at goal, but it was well saved by Zander Clark as he tipped the ball over the bar.

Queen of the South took the lead in the 22nd minute when Lyle capitalised on a mistake by Will Vaulks and the striker remained composed to fire an effort past Jamie MacDonald into the net.

Falkirk pressed forward in search of an equaliser as Blair Alston did well down the right to create an opening for David Smith to strike at goal, but his stinging shot was straight at Clark.

In the second half, Kevin O'Hara created space for an opening to drill a shot towards goal after escaping the attentions of his marker, only to see his strike sail over the crossbar.

The visitors upped the ante late in the game as they threw men forward, but the Queen of the South defence displayed resilience to hold out for the crucial three points to move four points clear of their rivals in fourth place in the table.