Date	Saturday, 08 May 2004
Competition	Scottish League Division 1
Fixture/Score	Ross County 1:2 Queen of the South
Venue	Victoria Park
Attendance	2,842
Referee	Douglas McDonald
Comments	Match Report Report from the Press & Journal. Ross County 1 Queen of the South 2 Ross boss Alex Smith hit out at the rules which allowed a striker who will be playing for his side next term to sink them at home on Saturday. Alex Burke was driven by a double incentive as he struck the boot into his future employers. The former Kilmarnock striker has signed a pre-contract agreement with County--but fired his current paymasters to victory with his 16th goal of the season. But Smith fears players could be put in an impossible situation when title or relegation issues are at stake. Smith said: "I think everyone can see Burke's qualities--he can link play and has the composure to finish. But the fact is we shouldn't be allowed to have one of their players committed to us when there are still games remaining in a season. "Something needs to be changed--it's a ridiculous scenario. Having players and agents talking to other clubs used to be looked on as illegal and corrupt." With a summer return to fulltime football beckoning, Burke was keen to show County fans he is worthy recruit. But he was also desperate to give the loyal Queen of the South supporters--most of whom made a 10-hour round trip to Dingwall and back--a fitting farewell gift. Burke said: "It was a strange day for me. It is sometimes strange enough facing a former team, never mind the one you are joining next season. "I'm 100% committed to Queen of the South until then, so my only thought was coming here to get three points. But it was also an opportunity to show the fans and staff here at Dingwall what I can do for next season. The former Scotland under-21 player was tipped for great things when he first burst on the scene as a bright light at Rugby Park. But he retains strong ambitions of returning to the top, stressing: "I know Alex Smith from quite a few years ago. When I spoke to him about coming north he told me that at 26 I still have a lot of good years ahead of me. "They say players peak at around 27 or 28 and Alex believes Ross County can get the best of me. Alex has put his faith in me and its up to me to go and score goals and repay him." Both teams hit the woodwork before the opener, but County looked comfortable after Jim Hamilton's powered header crossed the line. However, fortunes changed after Steve Bowey struck back from the angle of the six-yard box just before the break. Burke's winner in 66 minutes was struck with venom from just inside the area.
Ross County
Manager	Alexander (Alex) Smith
Starting 11	1: Graeme Smith, 2: Martin Canning, 3: James Lauchlan, 4: John Rankin, 5: Jamie McCunnie, 6: Don (JNR) Cowie, 7: Mark McCulloch, 8: David Hannah, 9: Conor Gethins, 10: James Hamilton 1, 11: Graham Bayne
Bench	0: Stuart Malcolm, 0: Stephen O'Donnell, 0: Bolade Ogunmade, 0: Sean Higgins
Queen of the South
Manager	John Connolly
Starting 11	Colin Scott, Brian Reid 1, Andrew Aitken, Eric Paton, Jim Thomson, Steve Bowey 1 1, David Bagan, Willie Gibson, Brian McColligan, Emillio Jaconelli, Alex Burke 1
Bench	Craig Samson, Paul McMullan, Shaun O'Connor, Steven Payne, John Paul Burns