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Gary Naysmith looked concerned as Queens faced Partick Thistle

Manager Gary Naysmith has left Queen of the South after a home defeat by Partick Thistle left his side facing a play-off to stay in the Championship.

Queens said they had "parted company" with the former Scotland defender because "our recent results haven't been good enough".

Goals from Lewis Mansell, Scott McDonald and Stuart Bannigan propelled Thistle to sixth to avoid a play-off.

Queens visit Montrose in Tuesday's play-off semi-final first leg.

Raith Rovers host Forfar Athletic, who finished above fourth-place Montrose in League One, contest the other semi-final.

Mansell blasted his first goal of the season high into the net to give Thistle a 14th-minute lead at Palmerston Park.

Former Celtic striker McDonald doubled the Glasgow side's lead from eight yards a minute before the interval - his seventh of the season.

Thistle captain Bannigan scored from the penalty spot after McDonald was denied a goal by Barry Maguire's challenge.

Stephen Dobbie, Queens' top scorer having returned from injury, and Lyndon Dykes had both missed half-chances for Queens before McDonald's goal, while Dykes was also denied by a fine Jamie Sneddon save before the third goal.

The home side have now only won once in seven outings and their misery was complete with news of Alloa Athletic's 1-1 draw away to Ayr United that leaves Queens in second-bottom place above Falkirk on goal difference.

'This is a Premier League club' - reaction

Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith: "That was our worst performance of the season, in our biggest game of the season and it has got me scratching my head as I did not see it coming.

"We had our scout watching Montrose, we have done our homework and we will be prepared for them, but sometimes you just have to do the basics right and we did not do that today."

Partick Thistle manager Gary Caldwell: "We have a huge summer ahead of us to rebuild and ensure that we never find ourselves in this position again.

"One defeat in seven is form to win the league, we know what we are doing, the players who came in January made a big difference and the planning starts now for next season. This is a Premiership club and that is our aim."

Partick Thistle captain Stuart Bannigan scored his side's third goal