Jim McIntyre knows that the 30 minute delay against Raith wasn’t ideal preparation for his side – but refuses to use it as an excuse.
The Queens gaffer watched on as his side lost 3-2 to Rovers on Tuesday night in a crucial match in the play-off race.
After three first team players – as well as the team kit – getting caught up in severe traffic on the Forth Road Bridge, Queens lost two goals in the opening six minutes, but McIntyre knows there is no excuse for his team’s performance.
He said: “Obviously preparation wasn’t ideal but I don’t want to use that as an excuse as the goals we gave away were self-inflicted.
“We got off to a really poor start but credit to the lads because after that they got themselves going and got in to the game.
“We tried to move the ball quicker and get in Raith’s face a bit more and we started to create chances.
“After that we scored a couple of great goals and at half time we just said that we needed to keep doing what we were doing towards the end of the first half.
“I didn’t think there was much between the two teams but we didn’t threaten their goal anywhere near enough.
“Saying that, I don’t think Zander hasn’t had too many saves to make either and the game was there to be won.”
McIntyre also admitted that he wished the first half didn’t come to an end as Queens were starting to look dangerous again.
Yet the Queens boss insists he knew the play-offs wouldn’t be decided with time to spare but he has faith in his team.
He said: “Half time probably came at the wrong time for us because we were on the ascendency and we were starting to do a lot of things right and we didn’t do that as well in the second half.
“However, I’ve said all along that the play-offs would come down to the wire and we have to dust ourselves down and get ready to go on Saturday.
“There’s a lot of football to be played still and of course we’re disappointed right now but I know I have the players to help us bounce back, starting with Dumbarton on Saturday.”
Raith boss Grant Murray was delighted that the game went ahead, as well as picking up three points.
He said: “It’s a fantastic three points to get and I felt like we deserved it.
“We were always happy to play the game, it was just a matter of when it finished - and I’m delighted it went ahead now!”
Queens now look forward to an away day against fellow play-off challengers Dumbarton this Saturday.