Queen of the South boss describes heavy Dunfermline Athletic loss as "tough one to take"

Queen of the South boss Marvin Bartley said his side’s 5-0 defeat to Dunfermline was a “tough one to take”.

The Doonhamers’ six-game unbeaten run was brought to an unceremonious end as the Pars wrapped up the League One title for an immediate return to the Championship.

Bartley said: “It is disappointing when you lose a game of football, let alone lose the game 5-0, so yes, it’s a tough one to take.

“It is all part of a learning curve. We have been on a fantastic run, and it’s come to an abrupt end and there are a lot of lessons to be learned from the game.

“I will analyse this game the same way I always do win, lose or draw. It will be tough watching it but we will learn from it and have a hard week training ahead of us.”

Bartley wants his players to remember the disappointment and use the crushing defeat as a learning opportunity before starting a new unbeaten run to end the season.

He said: “Sometimes the wind gets taken out of your sails and that happened.

“I’ve told the boys to remember this feeling. They deserved to win the game, I’d disagree that they deserved to win it 5-0 but it happened and we need to recuperate and come back strong.”

The 36-year-old boss added that everyone is playing for their futures between now and the end of the campaign.

He said: “Next season will take care of itself, the next three games, starting on Saturday are the most important thing.

“It is as it has been since I came in, we are playing for our futures. Contracts and livelihoods is what we are here to play for, my livelihood as well as their livelihoods.”