Queen of the South boss Gary Naysmith knows his side could upset Dudnee in the William Hill Scottish Cup but insists the Taysiders are a step up in opponent.

The Championship outfit beat leaders Ross County 4-0 in their league meeting at the weekend to move up to fourth spot and have lost only one of their last 10 matches.

By contrast, Jim McIntyre's side are two points behind St Mirren at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership and without a win in six matches.

Ahead of the trip to Dens Park in the fourth round on Saturday, Naysmith told Press Association Sport: "I can see why people think that but we played Partick Thistle last season when they were near the bottom of the league and they beat us 2-1 (in the Scottish Cup).

"Motherwell, fourth or fifth bottom just now, were a good bit better than us earlier in the season, albeit we took St Johnstone to extra time (both in the League Cup).

"So we have done OK against the Premiership clubs but we are aware that there is still a step up, there is a gulf but I understand why people are saying there is a chance of an upset.

"Dundee are bottom of the league, they have not played for three weeks and they are trying to bed in some new signings.

"We are in a good bit of form so I can understand why people maybe think there is a chance of an upset but for us to have any thoughts of causing an upset, we will need to be as good if not better than we were on Saturday.

"We are in a good place just now but what has happened in the past is forgotten about and we go to Dundee trying to put in a good performance and see if we can cause an upset.

"We are normally a tough team to beat and we have to be that and even more if we want to get through."