The home side made a lively start and took the lead on seven minutes when a swirling Gavin Swankie corner found its way to Robbie Raeside at the back post from where the big defender slammed a low drive into the net.
Chances were few and far between for most of the first half and neither keeper had a genuine save to make until the 42nd minute when Arbroath were awarded a spot-kick after Paul Paton pulled down Marc McCulloch.
The Arbroath skipper picked himself off the turf and took responsibility but his tame penalty was easy meat for David Crawford who dived to his right and turned the ball to safety.
Queens were a different prospect after the break and drew level on 56 minutes when a magnificent Ross Clark throughball set David Weatherston free and he expertly tucked his shot past Neil Inglis from the edge of the box.
The visitors continued to press forward and their efforts looked to have paid off on 66 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following Paul Watson's foul on Mark Ferry.
But like McCulloch before him Steven Reilly's spot-kick lacked power and gave the Arbroath keeper little trouble as he dived to his right to save.
The result could have gone either way after that but neither team could craft a winner.