DUMBARTON manager Stevie Aitken refused to be downbeat following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Queen of the South on Saturday.

The Sons boss conceded that James Fowler’s men were the best team on the day and deserved the victory in what was Aitken’s first league defeat as Sons boss.

However having won their first two games, against league big guns Hibs and St Mirren, Aitken stressed that six points from nine is a more than a good start for the part-time club.

He said: “I would look at the positives and say that six out of nine is a terrific start, there is no doubt about that. We were up against a very good side, we have played Hibs and St Mirren and Queen of the South are as good as them.

“I think we have to be honest enough and say Queen of the South were better than us today. It’s been a difficult week, going from the joy of beating St Mirren last week to going out the cup to Queen’s Park in midweek and obviously losing to Queens.

“I’m not disheartened, I’m looking at the bigger picture here. Out of the three games we could have possibly had zero points, because it was three big teams we were playing. To get six out of nine is terrific and we’ll have to focus on the next game against Falkirk on Friday night.” Aitken also revealed he felt the extra-time defeat to Queen’s Park had taken a lot out of his side as a third scalp in three weeks proved elusive for Dumbarton.

He said: “We looked a bit leggy if we’re honest, I think it is fair to say that. With part-time players it is difficult to play midweek because they are away to work the next day and don’t have the chance to recover. We knew that might be the case but Queen of the South were right at it.

“The goals we lost were disappointing because they are cheap from our point of view. The first one shouldn’t have been a free-kick and the second one we should’ve dealt with better.”