Queen of the South boss frustrated after Stenhousemuir draw

Peter Murphy felt his side dominated the game and said the point "feels like a defeat"

Peter Murphy cut a frustrated figure at the end of his sides game against Stenhousemuir on Saturday.

Despite picking up a point away from home, the Palmerston boss felt for his players and insists it felt more like a defeat.

He said: “It’s a game we’ve totally dominated, and we’ve had some excellent chances.

“We just didn’t get our goal. I think if we had got one, we could probably go on a score a few more because they have to come out a little bit and play.

“We dominated everything but it didn’t go for us, and we didn’t get the win, so there are many pleasing things, it is a point, but it feels worse, it feels like a defeat because the manner we played.

“I don’t think Ross Stewart had a save to make, so it’s a really pleasing effort, but we just didn’t get the win.

“But I did say a few weeks ago about getting points away from home, so it’s a good point. I would like to have three and that would have made-up for Montrose and Inverness”.

Queens have yet to score an away goal in the league but it’s not something that is concerning the manager, who added: “I think if we weren’t creating opportunities, that would be the worry.

“We’ve signed two extra strikers who’ve been injured, and we haven’t had them available to pick from. So, our options are a little bit restricted”.

Injuries have played a part in the squad selection this season and utility player Brennan Dickenson has been added to casualty list after picking up a hamstring injury at Ochilview.

Murphy will wait to assess the 31-year-old but hopes it won’t be a long-term injury: “He felt his hamstring a little bit tight at half-time and said he was good to carry on and then obviously less than five minutes into the second half, he just felt a little tweak, so we weren’t taking any chances.

“We did the same with Mikey Hewitt up at Inverness, because of the injuries we’ve had previously, we don’t want to get to that point.

“We’ll probably have to nurse him this week and I guess he won’t be available for next week, but hopefully it’s not a longer term one, just a grade one that will keep him out for a couple of weeks maybe”.

It was a day for hamstring injuries as the home side also suffered their fair share. Murphy added: “Stenhousemuir had three of their boys go down with hamstring. I think that’s because of the way we moved the ball and the pace that we played at, I think they were having to work harder than they expected, and it took its toll.

“I think, from Brennan’s point of view, I don’t think the pitch helped. It isn’t as soft as what you’d expect from a re-laid 3G, and Brendan paid the price for that. Obviously, he’s played grass his whole career so needs a bit of time to adjust”.

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