Queen of the South boss admits side in relegation dogfight after derby defeat

Queens boss Marvin Bartley has admitted for the first time that his side are in a relegation dogfight.

They crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Annan and are now just four points ahead of their second bottom rivals with eight games left in the League One campaign.

Furious fans barracked Bartley during the dismal Doonhamers display at Galabank, calling for him to quit.

One supporter invaded the pitch at half-time to confront the substitutes during their warm up to make his feelings known before being led away by stewards.

Bartley, who locked his side in the dressing room for more than an hour after the final whistle, said: “We are still four points clear of Annan and we need to drag ourselves out of that.

“We need to do our bit.

“It is only four points and they need to close that gap, But we are now in a relegation battle and sometimes you have to find it from within. We are not cut adrift.

“I am the manager and the pressure starts and really stops with me.

“We worked on tasks in training then went out and then we are two nil down and all of a sudden you have a massive mountain to climb.

“It is so frustrating. We left (keeper) Harry Stone with no chance and need to defend better than that.

“I am as frustrated as anyone else but as I have said there is only so much people can do. You rely on people to do their tasks.

“We cannot keep saying we need to pick it up and work harder. It has to start now.

“If you are going to lose a game of football then go down fighting and I just felt that one or two didn’t do that today.”

Bartley said of the boo boys giving him stick: “Listen, I have been in football a long time and I understand how things work.

“I understand how they are feeling. I am as frustrated as they