The game also brought Queen's face to face with championship hero Paul Walker, whose sterling contribution helped Spiders to the title back in 1999/00, in an East Fife shirt, he was to prove a handful for the Queen's Park defence up the wings.
The first half produced very little in the way of goalmouth action despite both sides playing some decent football. Ronald came closest for Queen's as his long range drive was well held by Iain Ross low to his right while the Fifers best opportunity came from Ryan Blackadder who drove a free kick high over the bar after Mick Dunlop scythed down Walker on the edge of the box.
The second half was a marked improvement from the boredom of the first period, but it was the Fifers who nearly made the breakthrough first. Walker went on an excellent run after being released up the wing. He held off Stuart Kettlewell and fired into the side net from close range. East Fife fans were sure the ball was in and celebrated accordingly, only to be brought back down to earth by the sarcastic cheers from the large Queen's support.
David Weatherston then came close for Queen's when he drilled Dunn's layoff towards goal, but Fife keeper Iain Ross got down and tipped the ball wide for a corner kick. Queen's replaced Dunn for Frankie Carroll and minutes later came the opener. East Fife were awarded a nonsensical free kick 30 yards out. David Crawford failed to organise his wall in time and the free kick flew in past the unawares DC, off the post and in.
Fifers had chances to double their lead but found their luck deserting them when they approached goal and for once Lady Luck smiled upon QP with a late leveller. 87 minutes were on the clock when Stevie Canning swung in a corner, Mick Dunlop won the first header (taking a blow to his chest with a flying elbow in the proccess) and returning supersub Carroll flicked the back header past the static Ross to secure a point.
QUEEN'S PARK: David Crawford, Paul Paton, Mick Dunlop, Steven Canning, Richard Sinclair, Robert Dunn (Frankie Carroll), Stuart Kettlewell, Tony Quinn (Paul Cairney), Paul Ronald, David Weatherston, Mark Ferry
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Cairns, Jonny Whelan, Damiano Agostini
GOALSCORER: Frankie Carroll (88)
BOOKED: Stuart Kettlewell, Tony Quinn
REFEREE: Anthony Law
ATTENDANCE: 719
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mick Dunlop