Despite being pleased to see his side record their fourth successive league win, the Ton boss said the terrorist atrocities committed in Paris on Friday were a sobering reminder that it is only a game.

Duffy said the point was driven home by the poignant minute’s silence held prior to the match at Cappielow, which his side went on to win 2-0 thanks to a Denny Johnstone double.

He explained: “I enjoyed the game but I don’t know … for me personally today, and not because I know anybody involved in the situation in France, the whole game was put in perspective as a football match when we had the minute’s silence.

“It is one of those days that although the football, and winning football matches, is important for us as a club, I think what it just does emphasise that it is only a sport.

“There are so many other things much more important in life. If you win or lose in football, it’s still a football match. Sometimes we take it to a level it doesn’t deserve to be.” Reflecting on the 90 minutes that followed, the Greenock gaffer felt his side earned the three points that pushed them up into the play-off places ahead of the Doonhamers and Raith Rovers.

Duffy added: “But in terms of a football match, I think we deserved to win. The first half was an even contest with a couple of chances at either end, but not too much between the teams. If anything Queen of the South had one or two more openings and passed the ball a bit better in midfield without giving us too many problems defensively.

“They still got in and around our box a wee bit too often, whereas in the second half it was reversed and we were in about their box. In the second half we were much better, I thought we played very well and their keeper has pulled off a great save from Stef [McCluskey] and a great save from Bobby [Barr]. So we had a few opportunities in terms of shots at goal and scored two good goals as well. I think it was our turn today.” Outside observers may not have expected to see newly-promoted Ton in fourth place in mid-November, and when that was put to Duffy, he said: “I don’t think I did either.

“It’s one of those situations where you do as well as you possibly can. We don’t set any [long-term] targets: the target is to get three points on a Saturday and as many as you can. We’ll wait and see further down the line where that takes us, but at this moment in time it’s good for the club and the supporters, who I think appreciate the work the players are putting in.

“We’ve maybe not always been at our best in terms of performances, but we’re an organised side who roll our sleeves up and give ourselves a chance of winning matches.”