Kilmarnock showed a great deal of character to ensure they stayed top of the Scottish Championship.
Ash Taylor fired the Ayrshire side ahead three minutes before half time, but Alistair Roy dealt a blow as he fired home an equaliser in the 65th minute.
But the Killie faithful were on their feet with eight minutes to go thanks to a powerful strike from Oli Shaw that sealed a fine 2-1 win.
Arbroath bagged a 1-0 win at home to Ayr United to stay within two points of Killie, but Partick Thistle were hammered 4-0 at home to Hamilton to leave them 11 points off the pace.
Relieved Killie boss Derek McInnes said: "Every win at this stage of the season is going to be vitally important.
"It was probably more dramatic than we needed it to be, but we found a way to win.
"First half we were really dominant, I was pleased with how we controlled the game.
"But I was not so pleased with the lack of cutting edge with our chances.
"We were guilty of not being clinical enough to get the second goal, and when it's 1-0 there's always a risk when you're playing a team fighting for their lives."
Fraser Murray had an incredible chance to fire his side ahead after just 10 minutes after Kyle Lafferty slipped him through on goal, but Josh Rae was equal to his effort and kept it out well.
Killie got themselves in front three minutes before half time when unlikely scorer Taylor picked up the ball on the edge of the box before curling a stunning effort into the far corner past the outstretched Rae.
Rory McKenzie tried his luck just before the hour mark as his shot was deflected towards goal, but Rae was equal to it and grabbed the effort with both hands.
Queens bagged the equaliser in the 65th minute when Roy found himself through on goal and he calmly slotted it past the helpless Zach Hemming.
Shaw went close to restoring Killie’s lead in the 73rd minute as his volley headed goalbound, but again it was well stopped by Rae.
Rugby Park erupted in the 82nd minute when Shaw rifled home an effort from 10 yards to put the hosts back in front.
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