DUMBARTON manager Stevie Aitken heaped praise on his side’s “excellent” performance, after drawing 0-0 with Queen of the South on Saturday.

The Sons boss was pleased with his side’s showing against the team at the top of the Scottish Championship, especially with a host of injury problems with player numbers.

Mark Docherty filled in at centre-half due to suspensions.

Aitken said: “I though we were excellent, against a very good side who are leading the Championship “We wanted a reaction from of last week’s performance, because we were poor last week. I thought we got that. To a man the players were superb.”

We only had the two outfield subs today because Donald was injured, Darren Barr has a cracked rib and we had to put Mark Docherty in at centre-half and that’s not his position. We’re down to the bare bones but it was a terrific performance and a deserved point.”

And the former Stranraer manager is hoping his team’s fortunes will turn, after only scoring two goals at home this season in the league.

He said: “Hopefully our luck in front of goal will change,We didn’t get many breaks. I though there were a couple of penalty decisions we might have got.

“Then again, the one that hit the post – nine times out of ten [the ball] will come across goal, but it went the opposite side.

“So there are things that need to turn, but the boys looked terrific today and I’m delighted.”