Queen of the South 2-0 Stranraer

Second Division champions Queen of the South celebrated last weekend's Ramsdens Cup final victory with a home win over relegation-threatened Stranraer.

But Stranraer remain five points clear of relegation trouble after second-bottom East Fife also lost, at home to Stenhousemuir.

The Doonhammers started in positive fashion, with Patrick Slattery seeing his goal-bound effort kept out by Frank McKeown's block.

Queens eventually found the breakthrough when Kevin Holt applied a simple finish from six yards out in the 31st minute.

The visitors struggled to mount any pressure as they sought a way back into the game.

However, they almost levelled only for McKeown to strike his close-range effort straight at goalkeeper Lee Robinson.

Nicholas Clark was the man to secure the hosts' victory when he got on the end of substitute Derek Lyle's left-wing cross after 76 minutes.

Kevin Smith had a low strike denied by the feet of David Mitchell soon after as Allan Johnston's side were made to settle for a two-goal cushion.

Queen of the South: Robinson, McGuffie, Durnan, Black, Holt, Slattery, Burns, Young (Lyle 63), Carmichael, Paton (Fitzpatrick 85), Clark (Kevin Smith 77). Subs Not Used: Atkinson, Higgins.

Goals: Holt 31, Clark 76.

Stranraer: Mitchell,Lloyd Kinnaird,Dunlop,McKeown,Staunton, Love (Winter 82), Aitken, Gallagher, Borris, Gribben (Moore 68), Malcolm. Subs Not Used: Cadwell, One, Campbell.

Att: 1,806

Ref: Kevin Graham