Queens remain on course for a play-off position despite a dull draw that failed to match up to pre-game hype.
Following a turgid opening, Arbroath went close to scoring after 12 minutes. Alan Brazil hit a low right-foot shot from the edge of the area that flew just wide of target.
The visitors lost the services of Brazil before the interval when the striker was stretchered off the field with a suspected broken left ankle following a 50/50 tackle with Paul Paton.
Queens worked a fine corner kick just before the break. Alan Trouten picked out Mark Ferry 15 yards out, but the midfielder sent his first time effort over the bar.
The game failed to improve in the second half and both sides blazed efforts over the bar as they struggled to string together any real attacking moves of note.
But the home side did go close to breaking the deadlock midway through the second half. Steve Riley powered a header in on goal but Greg Miller blocked the goal-bound effort.
Then, with time running out, Queens were reduced to just 10 men in controversial circumstances as Mick Dunlop saw red for a seemingly innocuous challenge on Arbroath substitute Steven Rennie