Elgin skipper Brian Cameron insists his promotion-chasing side can bounce back after conceding their play-off place to Queen’s Park in a disappointing defeat at rain-lashed Hampden.
The Spiders scored early and late to see off the Borough Briggs men who played below par but still created their own opportunities.
Cameron said: “It was a terrible day conditions-wise and both teams had to battle but Queen’s Park looked hungrier and more up for it than us.
“Their early goal affected our game plan as we were looking to get at them and go in front.
“It was a sloppy goal and we never really recovered from it. There are four teams now heavily involved in the play-off chase with just four points between them.
“Every game is massive now starting against Cowdenbeath on Saturday.”
The hosts took the lead at Hampden on five minutes when Josh Doig floated in a cross from the left and Salim Kouider-Aissa rose to power a header past Tom McHale from six yards.
Kane Hester was allowed to run through on goal from what looked like an offside position on 32 minutes and it looked like an equaliser was on until the usually reliable striker fired a shot tamely against the legs of home keeper Willie Muir.
After starting the second half slowly, Archie MacPhee fired at the Queen’s goal from 25 yards but his effort flashed wide and, after Adam King headed a glorious chance wide for the hosts, Hester had another chance to level.
Substitute Smart Osadolor opened up the home defence with a delightful pass and Hester’s shot beat Muir only to drift wide of goal.
Cameron added: “Kane has electric pace and I was surprised to see him take both chances quite so early. He was annoyed at himself after the game as he knows he usually scores in those situations.”
David Galt ensured Queen’s Park boosted their promotion campaign at Elgin’s expense with a fierce strike 11 minutes from time that fizzed across McHale’s goal and into the net via the far post.
Elgin boss Gavin Price said: “We played poorly. I cannot put my finger on why but it was certainly on off-day. We were very flat compared to recent performances. It would be easy to blame the conditions but they were the same for both teams.
“We never kept the ball and we were a bit bedraggled defensively. It is really disappointing as every game gets bigger at this stage of the season.
“Kane has been in good form and we expected him to do better with the chances but, to be honest, if he had scored we would have got a point we did not really deserve.”