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Queen of the South boosted their Scottish Championship play-off hopes and consigned second-placed Hibernian to a third straight defeat.

The visitors had the better of the first half, without being able to open the scoring.

However, Mark Durnan netted from close range early in the second period to give Queens the advantage.

Hibs tried to respond without success, Dominique Malonga having a header saved by Zander Clark.

Rangers, who have played two games less, will move above Alan Stubbs' faltering side if they avoid defeat at home to champions Hearts on Sunday.

The game ended with a corner to the hosts, with every player, bar the taker, inside the penalty box but goalkeeper Mark Oxley could not find his second goal of the season.

Copying the successful formula recently adopted by Rangers at Easter Road, the visitors lined up in a 3-5-2 formation and Hibs were too ponderous in possession to find any gaps, allowing the Dumfries team their first away win since 31 January.

Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly went close to giving the visitors the lead inside the opening minute and visiting defender Kevin Holt was also wayward with two efforts.

Queens striker Derek Lyle blazed wide before the break and after the restart substitute Lewis Kidd lashed an effort over the crossbar before the visitors made the breakthrough in the 47th minute.

Durnan finished emphatically from close range, low into the centre of goal, following fine build-up play by the Doonhammers.

Hibs striker Malonga rifled a shot over the crossbar when well placed in the 63rd minute and had a header well saved by Clark, who also denied home substitute Farid El Alagui in a frantic closing spell.