Failing to finish off Montrose tarnished the weekend win for Queens boss Peter Murphy.
He told how holding on against nine men in a frantic end to the clash “ruined” the triumph despite the Doonhamers ending a three game run of defeats.
The Doonhamers defence managed a number of blocks in the box to deny the Gable Endies who fought desperately to salvage something from the encounter.
And in the end a first half super strike from debut man Pharrell Willis settled the encounter.
Murphy said: “I am delighted with the three points.
“But the last 10 minutes has tainted the result because of the fact we didn’t manage the game really well.
“And although Montrose didn’t create any chances we just made it that bit more difficult.
“The players looked like they wanted to get a second goal, but we could have managed the game a bit better and kept possession a bit better.
“Because we didn’t do that then we began to look nervy and that is something we’ll have to work on.
“Three points is the main thing.”
Murphy pointed out: “The other side of it is that we defended the box excellently and the two centre backs were towers of strength.
“We just could have been better on the ball.
“I did say last week we were much better on the ball (at Annan) and created a lot of chances and we lost the game. This week that last 10 minutes we didn’t play very well, but won the game so I will take that.
“If I go back to the first half, the saves their keeper made were excellent and then in the second we missed a penalty, so it could have been a lot more and that is the frustrating thing.”
Willis settled the encounter with a spectacular shot in 17 minutes then followed it with a spectacular celebration to stun team mates and enthral the fans by carrying out a succession of cartwheels topped by a back flip.
Murphy said: “I didn’t even know he could do that, so hopefully we see that a lot more from him if he scores a few more goals for us.
“I am delighted for Pharrell because it has taken a while for him to settle in. He has had a few things going on personally and he got the nod today and has done very well and scores a great goal but not only that, his link up play was excellent. He looked a real threat.
“We should have killed the game off with them having nine men.”