Gretna 2008 FC manager Stephen Hatfield has resigned after their poor start to the season.

The Irishman has stepped down after the Raydale Park club's latest Lowland League defeat.

Gretna went down to a 3-0 defeat at Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

It left them second bottom of the table with seven defeats from eight - and later Hatfield announced he was resigning.

"After today's game, I informed the board and players of my decision to resign as manager of this wonderful football club," he said.

"It is with a lot of sadness and frustration that I couldn't make the difference I or the club would have hoped for [after] taking over 11 months ago.

"I feel the board have been more than patient with me and have provided me with everything they possibly could have to enable that relative success.

"The work that the handful of volunteers put in behind the scenes is incredible.

"I truly admire how they keep the club going with so little help or support.

"I sincerely thank them for the opportunity."

Carlisle United's teenage winger Lewis Bell is part of the Gretna squad during a loan spell.

Hatfield thanked his backroom team of Perry Oakley, Michael McIndoe, Robbie Park and Gavin Cairns, plus Eddie Warwick from last season, for their support.

The former Donegal Celtic boss added: "I have really fallen in love with Gretna FC 2008 and, indeed, Gretna as a whole in my short time living here.

"I'm very proud to have started a family here and consider myself part of the town.

"I hope more than anything the football club finds the answer and experiences much better times soon."

Gretna chairman Alex Thomson paid tribute to Hatfield for his efforts and a club statement added: "The whole club is filled with sadness tonight and wishes Stephen good health and every success for the future."