Tommy Wright labelled goal machine Oli Shaw a manager's dream tonight after his brilliant brace kept Kilmarnock top of the table.
The in-form striker netted in each half – with subs Callum Hendry and Chris Burke also on target – as the Rugby Park men completed a perfect week by recording a third straight victory.
It's now seven goals for the season for Shaw who has struck in each of his last five games, including the winner in Tuesday night's Ayrshire derby.
And Killie boss Wright reflected on a near-perfect day as his side moved two points clear at the top of the cinch Championship.
He said: "We had to be patient and we had to move the ball quickly and we did that. Once we got the second goal, the game was over.
"We were in total control of the game, as you would expect given how they were set up, but it was a really good performance.
"Oli is a dream to work with, he is good in the box and works extremely hard in the game. You see his good movement for the first goal and his second was an opportunist's goal. I've been really pleased with him since he came in.
"I'm pleased with our league position. It's another clean sheet and we've scored goals today. But the report will still say there is a long way to go and a lot of hard work to be done."
Killie took the lead in the 17th minute when Daniel Armstrong hit the byline and stood up a cross for Shaw who nodded home from close range.
Jason Naismith forced Queens keeper Sol Brynn into a smart stop soon after with the visitors' best chance of the first half coming when Lee Connelly fired just over the bar as the interval approached.
The second period was just three minutes old when midfielder Liam Polworth got on the end of a near-post delivery from Calum Waters but guided his header wide.
Then, in the 57th minute, Shaw outpaced Queens centre-back Joshua Debayo but his rasping drive was just off target.
However, the former Hibernian hitman doubled his and Kilmarnock's tally two minutes later to put the game out of reach and seal a third straight win.
A Waters cross from the left flank was nodded down by Naismith for Scott Robinson whose awkward effort ricocheted into the path of Shaw and he delivered a deadly finish.
It could have been 3-0 in the 67th minute as Polworth poured forward and fed Robinson but the diminutive attacker bent his shot just wide of the far post.
But Killie were to finish with a flourish in the final minutes as Hendry showed great control and strength in the box to fire home and then set up Burke who curled a lovely shot into the corner of the net.
Disappointed Doonhamers gaffer Allan Johnston said: "Kilmarnock were the better team but I don't think there were four goals in it. But it is still a defeat and we need to get back on track.
"We set up to try and frustrate them but we know the quality they've got. Nobody wants to be down at the bottom but I think there is more to come from us."
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