Second Division champions Queen of the South celebrated last weekend's Ramsdens Cup final victory with a comfortable home win over relegation-threatened Stranraer.
But Stranraer remain five points clear of relegation trouble after second-bottom East Fife also lost, at home to Stenhousemuir.
The Doonhammers started in positive fashion, with Patrick Slattery seeing his goal-bound effort kept out by Frank McKeown's block.
Queens eventually found the breakthrough when Kevin Holt applied a simple finish from six yards out in the 31st minute.
The visitors struggled to mount any pressure as they sought a way back into the game.
However, they almost levelled only for McKeown to strike his close-range effort straight at goalkeeper Lee Robinson.
Nicholas Clark was the man to secure the hosts' victory when he got on the end of substitute Derek Lyle's left-wing cross after 76 minutes.
Kevin Smith had a low strike denied by the feet of David Mitchell soon after as Allan Johnston's side were made to settle for a two-goal cushion.
A comfortable victory for a much changed Queens in which several fringe players got their chance.
Image by kind permission of www.qosfc.com