He said: "It lifts us off the second bottom spot to go one point ahead of Stranraer and we just have to ensure we pick up another handful of points in our final six games."
But he rightly admitted that Queens were very little in the picture in the opening period.
Stranraer took advantage of a lethargic display by the Dumfries side to come close to scoring.
Keeper Colin Scott had to dive full length to turn away a shot from Lee Sharp, and then he did well to turn a looping shot for a corner.
But they were really unlucky minutes before the interval when Stephen Payne rattled the crossbar from 30 yards.
But the breakthrough came three minutes after the interval following a free-kick from Tommy English. He slammed the ball into the wall and it rebounded to Steve Bowey, who cracked it home from close range.
There was only a fine one-handed save from keeper Barry-John Corr that prevented Queens going further ahead when he tipped over a shot from Paul Burns.
The final seconds saw Stranraer make a valiant effort for an equaliser, and only a save on the line by keeper Scott stopped a header from substitute Willie Martin.
Stranraer's assistant manager Stuart Miller said: "It was disappointing - we were on top in the first half and were unlucky not to get a couple of goals.
"Their heads seemed to go down a bit after Queens scored, but they still have two games in hand and must get something back from them to climb back above the Dumfries side."
DUKE'S VERDICT-This was a brusing encounter with very little football on view and Queens did well to overcome a big physical Stranraer team who will win few friends with their negative tactics. After being given the runaround in the first half Queens dragged themselves back into the game with Bowey's goal the turning point. The Doonhamers could have inflicted a heavier defeat on their rivals but were content to play out time for a memorable win much to the delight of a fanatical Queens support who erupted at the final whistle.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Bowey ran his socks off but Ryan McStay gets my award. He ran the show in the second half with some decisive tackling and ball distribution.
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