Dejected Doonhamers boss Wullie Gibson admitted it looked like Dunfermline were playing with an extra man at times during their weekend defeat.
Queen of the South slumped to a 2-0 loss at Palmerston and it could have been more.
Keeper Max Currie pulled off a succession of saves and the Pars hit the post while Ruari Paton had a second half spot kick well saved by Fifers keeper Deniz Mehmet.
Gibson said: “Dunfermline didn’t have an extra man although you wouldn’t have thought that in the first half.
“We just didn’t do the basics right; we weren’t tight enough, we didn’t go with the runners ... and I don’t think the boys wanted it enough.
“And I don’t like saying that.
“But the level of performance was no way good enough.
“The first goal we just didn’t stop the cross and the second one for me it was one that I thought was going to happen because I was told it came off a Queens player and if it was then it is rightly given.
“But you have to ask why he has that space at the back post to tap the ball in.”
Gibson added: “The boys got the plaudits off the back off Tuesday night (against Rangers) and although it was a defeat it is about the manner of defeat and managing it.
“This was not good enough against Dunfermline.
“We just didn’t turn up in the first half and it is not the first time it has happened here. That’s the third or fourth time and it is happening too often.
“Dunfermline are a good side and I told the boys if you have a poor start then the game can be out of sight by half time.
“Dunfermline were so comfy in the first half it was a joke.”
Paton had a chance to half the deficit when ex-Queens player Rhys Breen brought down Gavin Reilly for a second half penalty.
But Pars keeper Deniz Mehmet pulled off a brilliant one handed save and Gibson said after the match: “Ruari is in there (dressing room) distraught,
“I’m not going to hang Ruari out to dry because he has done very well for us this season.
“It’s another defeat and it is there in black and white and it’s not good enough.
