Paul PatonwasQueen's hero as his thunderball killed off East Fife and secured promotion to division two. Billy Stark's men controlled the match after that, with goals from Alan Trouten and sub Frankie Carroll making the celebration sweeter at the end.

East Fife had won 4-1 in their previous play-off match at home against Stranraer and needed a similar goal tally to tiptheamateursforthe second promotion spot.

But Queen's weren't content to sit on their 4-2 lead from the first leg. When David WeatherstonskinnedElliot Smith the full-back cynically took him out for a beating. It proved Fife's undoing as 60 seconds later the ball found a way to Patonwhosmashedan unstoppable shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Queen'ssizeablesupport celebrated as if they were alreadyupwhileEastFife needed four unanswered goals to clinch promotion.

Tricky winger Paul Walker tried to hit back but his low drive was pushed round the post by David Crawford for a corner the ref never gave.

Weatherston continued to be the target for hard challenges but his pace almost got him on the end of a Paul Ronald flick as they threatened again. Queen's passing frustratedEastFifewho lumped successive balls long for Paul Ritchie and Craig O'Reilly,which they repeatedly lost.

Ritchie was close in 27 minutes when he flicked the ball up on the edge of the box and tried a volley that dropped wide.

Mark Ferry was inches away at the other end when Paul Cairney laid the ball in his path.

Paul Walker crossed into the box in 42 minutes but O'Reilly was muscled out of it and Kevin McBride's shot was blocked by Stuart Kettlewell.

On half time Ritchie was barged for a free kick 22 yards out, but Jon Smart thumped the ball into the wall.

East Fife went to three at the back for the second half but it was the amateurs who threatened again when Cairney shot straight at John Dodds from six yards.

Weatherston almost got his just reward when he headed across goal but Dodds at full stretch managed to push theball round the post.

Fife manager Dave Baikie gambled with his subs and it almost paid off in 64 minutes when Ryan Blackadder found Ritchie, but Crawford held on to his downward header.

The match was well beyond the Fifers but they continued to push forward and Crawford again proved a safe pair of hands when he clutched Greig McDonald's header.

They were caught on the break in 74 minutes when Weatherston pulled the ball back and Trouten smashed it in off the underside of the bar.

East Fife claimed the ball wasn't over the line but it was a futileattempt. With seconds left, Carroll broke clear to fire in the third.

Queen's manager Stark said: "The football we played, goals we scored and the resilience we showed to overcome bigger teams was unbelievable. The players have been remarkable and broken club records that have stood for 140 years.

"The first goal was a real hammer blow to East Fife. I was surprised how comfortable it was towards the end. I can't blame some of the boys for jumping in the crowd at the end as some of them might not see days like this again. I was lucky enough to win things as a player but this is even better as you're responsible for the whole team."

DefeatedFifemanager Bakie said: "The first goal was a superb strike and it came right out of the blue. Sometimes you know the writing is on the wall but Queen'sdeservedtogo through as they were better over two legs and the best football team in the division."

East Fife: Dodd, Smith (Nicholas 61), McBride (Blackadder 61), Smart, McDonald, Qourts, Walker, Jablonski, Ritchie, O'Reilly (Gordon 80), Young. Unused subs: Martin, Ross.

Queen's Park: Crawford, Paton, Dunlop, Trouten (Carroll 86), Agostini, Canning, Kettlewell, Kierney, Ronald (Dunn 80), Weatherston, Ferry. Unused subs: Reilly, Quinn, Cairns.

Referee: Willy Collum Attendance: 1,625