SHATTERED Marr Rugby coach Craig Redpath concedes his team face a long winter after a weekend defeat plunged them into the relegation mire.

Last year's National League One champions went down to basement side Hawick at Fullarton Park.

The defeat leaves them just three points clear of Hawick and two ahead of second bottom Boroughmuir.

Now they must start picking up some wins to stand any chance of survival in what is their first season in the top flight.

Former Ayr coach Redpath said: "It was such an important game for us on Saturday, but unfortunately we just didn't turn up. A win would have at least have left well placed for a place in the playoffs. But this is a real blow to us as it was a game we were hoping to win as it would have given us a cushion over Hawick. Now we must go to Watsonians on Saturday and try and take something from the game but that will be difficult."

Redpath added: "There's no doubt now that we are involved in a relegation dogfight and the players will have to work hard. I would say we will now have to win three out of our last six games to have a chance of staying up, so that has to be the target."

Following Saturday's trip to Edinburgh, Marr have three Saturdays off before hosting Boroughmuir in a crunch game on Saturday, January 13.