Raith Rovers defender Jean-Yves M’voto admitted the team let their standards drop in a second-half collapse at Queen of the South.
The Frenchman’s first goal for the Kirkcaldy club was little consolation as Rovers conceded three times after the break to fall to a third-straight defeat.
“We matched them in the first half, but in the second half we lost it,” M’voto said.
“We need to think about it, and make sure we are better for the full game.
“It was just about organisation. We defended really well in the first half, so it shouldn’t happen. We need to wake up and work together as a team.
“We have a good team but we need to be at our level. In the second half we didn’t perform to our level, so we need to get back to it.”
M’voto returned to the starting 11 after missing the previous week’s defeat to Falkirk with a calf problem, while fit-again Mark Stewart and Chris Johnston made the bench.
Scott Roberts was handed his first start, but Rovers had to make do without right-back Jason Thomson after their influential captain picked up a knee injury in training on Friday.
The teams sitting second and third in the Championship cancelled each other out in a poor first half bereft of goal-scoring opportunities.
Rovers kept Queens star striker Stephen Dobbie quiet throughout the opening 45 minutes, but the former Swansea and Blackpool man opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a cool side-foot finish underneath Connor Brennan after Queens caught Rovers on the break.
Some 12 minutes later he collected the ball in space 20 yards out and rifled an unstoppable shot home off the post.
Queens added a third with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Dean Brotherston scored with his first touch, turning home a rebound after initially stumbling.
Raith grabbed a late consolation as M’voto headed home Lewis Vaughan’s corner kick, via a deflection, to open his account for the Kirkcaldy club.
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats in the league, Raith continue to hold on to third place ahead of Falkirk on goal difference.
Rovers manager Gary Locke said: “The difference between the two teams was Dobbie – he’s got that bit of quality and he showed why he’s played at the highest level.
“For long spells in the game there was nothing in it, but the last half hour was disappointing.”