Queen of the South gaffer aims to avoid another torrid run of defeats

Marvin Bartley hopes he never has to go through another torrid run of defeats at Queen of the South.

The Doonhamers snapped their five-game losing streak by beating local rivals Annan Athletic last Saturday as they started the second quarter of the league season.

Bartley has opened up on how it’s been for everyone dealing with the run and believes the squad will benefit from it in the long run.

He said: “Being on the run we’ve been on has been tough, not only for the players but everyone associated with the football club. I said to the guys before the game, let’s end this run today. In dark times, whether it’s football or anything else, when you come out the other side, there is no better feeling and that’s the feeling they had after the game.

“It was definitely a relief. It’s not easy to go on the run that we have been on.”

He added: “I have said that we will come out of a stronger. The players will come out of it mentally stronger. I’ll come out of a better manager. Hopefully this club never has to go through that again but should it happen I’ll be in a better position to manage.

“I am young and I’m finding my way in the game. So there will be things that I can improve on and the team can also improve.

“But, ultimately, that starts with me. I’m just delighted the players ended that run with that performance.”

Queens welcome Cove Rangers to Palmerston as they look to kick on in the campaign. The South sit sixth but are just three points off third place in the table.

Bartley said: “Tomorrow is about us building on Saturday.

“I let the players enjoy last weekend and it was one the fans did as well because it gives them the bragging rights. My job is to look forward to next week. We started speaking