Queen of the South 3-0 Rangers: Fowler & McCall react

Manager James Fowler described Queen of the South's upcoming games as "massive" after defeating Rangers 3-0.

Victory moved Queens above Falkirk into fourth - the final Championship promotion play-off place - ahead of the Bairns' trip to Palmerston on Sunday.

"We're in there at the minute but have achieved nothing yet," said Fowler.

Stuart McCall, who suffered his first defeat as Rangers boss, said his side would be "ready" for the second-place side's next game against Raith Rovers.

After weathering some Rangers pressure in the first half, Queens moved into the lead through Derek Lyle's stylish finish.

The hosts doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second half, Rangers captain Lee Wallace turning Lewis Kidd's low ball into the net, and Gavin Reilly swept home Queens' third.

"We were under a wee bit of pressure in the first half," said Fowler. "We got the goal and to get the goal so quickly into the second half gave us that little bit of cushion.

"I think we restricted Rangers to few chances over the whole 90 minutes, thankfully.

Fowler (left) took over as Queens boss following the departure of Jim McIntyre in September

"In the second half, I thought we could've scored a few more on the counter if our decision-making and our final ball was a wee bit better."

Fowler thought Queens had always had belief in their promotion challenge.

"We've had that appetite from the first day of the season," he said. "I think that was the target.

"We knew it was going to be difficult with the teams that are in this league.

"We've got a massive game against Falkirk on Sunday. After the Falkirk game, we've still got three massive games."

McCall admitted a few of his players "probably under performed".

"They catch us on the break, good finish by their boy," he added. "I don't think we deserved to go in at half-time behind.

"Second half, they score within 10 seconds and it's a really poor goal from our point of view.

"After that, they sit deep and hit us on the counter attack."

McCall thought his side would recover from the setback.

"I said we'd have ups and downs," he said. "Tonight's a down, but we'll be ready for Sunday.

"We've got to make sure it's only a blip and it doesn't continue. The wheels are not off - it's a defeat and we'll look to put that right on Sunday.

"Take nothing away from Queen of the South, they were good tonight.

"Overall, too many didn't produce the performances that they have of late, that they can do and will do again."