DUMBARTON failed to give Stevie Farrell the send off he deserves as they went down 2-1 to Queen of the South.

The Championship clash was Farrell's last duties as Sons No.2 before leaving to take charge at Stranraer, but it was not the fairytale ending to his 20 months at the Rock he was hoping for.

It was Motherwell's on-loan midfielder Dom Thomas who grabbed his second goal in a week to put the Dumfries outfit 1-0 up only for Christian Nade to square the game on the hour mark.

However, the parity was short-lived as Thomas netted once more eight minutes later to clinch Queens the three points and leave Stevie Aitken's Dumbarton still just a point above the relegation play-off place.

"Obviously in one sense it is disappointing to leave Stevie behind at the club who gave us the opportunity to manage at Championship level," Farrell told the Dumbarton website.

"I am also leaving good people around the club, good fans and a fantastic group of players.

"But in terms of the challenge ahead, it excites me to look forward to trying to ensure Stranraer can keep their League One status.

"When Stevie and I left Stranraer, the Championship was a really attractive prospect. Every game was a challenge. I've had that challenge now for 18 months and I've enjoyed being able to learn from being part of the team.

"I absolutely feel I am returning to Stranraer with a better CV than I left it with 20 months ago.

"Some may think it is a defeatist attitude to be delighted to stay in the Championship.

"But anybody who thinks it is unacceptable for Dumbarton to finish eighth in the Championship, for me, doesn't understand how it is for a part time side in this division.

"I wish Dumbarton every success in doing that again."

Speaking about losing his right-hand man to their former club, Sons boss Aitken said: "He and I have been in constant discussions since Monday night when Stranraer approached the club looking for permission to speak to him. I know through talks with Faz that this was a big decision for him.

"The opportunity to go back to Stranraer, a club we both know very well and have a lot of respect for and at a time when they find themselves in a difficult position was too much for Stevie to knock back."