Naysmith wants lesson learned from switch-off

Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith reckons that losing three goals in one half against Crusaders in the Irn-bru Cup could bring benefits when his side host table-topping Ross County today.

Coasting to victory last weekend thanks to a fourgoal half-time lead, Queens ended up scraping a 4-3 win. Naysmith said: “Usually when you get a kick up the backside you have lost a game but we got through and that is what cup football is about. We will learn from it so it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

“We switched off and let things drop down a gear and we simply cannot do that against Ross County.”

County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell has warned his players not only to be wary of 20-goal striker Stephen Dobbie. Kettlewell said: “They have been a free-scoring side and Stephen has scored most of their goals but they are not a one-man team. Lyndon Dykes is a constant threat and in Andy Stirling and Gary Harkins they have two players who are top quality.”

Inverness host Partick Thistle and Firhill manager Alan Archibald wants a reaction after their Irn-bru Cup defeat by East Fife. He said: “We need to be back on top of our game as Inverness are a good team”

Jonatan Johannson, in charge of Morton for the first time when they visit Dundee United, said: “A week is a short time to work with everyone but we are looking forward to getting going at a tough venue.”

Ayr United aim to bounce back from a 5-0 loss to Queen of the South by seeing off visitors Falkirk in Ray Mckinnon’s first league game in charge of the pointless Bairns. Ayr boss Ian Mccall said: “We had gone nine games undefeated before that game so we will focus on the bigger picture.”

Dunfermline bid to get their Championship challenge going again against Alloa after heavy defeats by Ayr and Inverness.

Pars boss Allan Johnston said: “We have lost bad goals as we have been switching off at key times. If we defend properly we can start winning again.”