Queens boss Wullie Gibson expects his side to face their toughest test yet when Premiership St Johnstone visit Dumfries tomorrow.
The top flight side lost to Annan Athletic in a penalty shoot-out on Tuesday night which Gibson believes will make them even more motivated.
He said: “It will be a tough test against a Premiership side. I know their manager, he will have them fired up.”
Gibson sees the game as an ideal chance to assess where his team are at this stage of the season against a team two divisions above Queens. He said: “You want to test yourself against better teams, it gives a proper gauge.
“We let our standards slip on Saturday, but we were back on it against a Championship side on Tuesday.
“But with this game being against a Premiership side it will offer a sterner test.”
Having lost their opening game at home to Annan last weekend, Queens replied with a 3-0 away victory over Ayr United in their second group match of the Premier Sports Cup.
He said: “We obviously wanted an improvement from Saturday and they gave us that.
“If I am being critical, we could’ve scored more, but a clean sheet, away from home in a derby, we can go home happy.”
After the weekend defeat the manger was looking for a reaction and was pleased with what he saw.
He added: “The boys were disappointed in their own performance, they didn’t need me to tell them — they were frustrated, but they came in, worked hard, prepared and went to Ayr and put in a performance.
“It will give us confidence going forward.”
Meanwhile Aidan Fitzpatrick, who left in the summer, has rejoined Partick Thistle.
The 21-year-old was a free agent after last season. Queens will receive a development fee from the Jags for the winger.
