Burnley interim manager Mike Jackson has described his side’s relegation from the Premier League as ’emotional’ and ‘raw’, but admitted he was ‘proud’ of their efforts to avoid the drop on a final day of drama.

The Clarets’ six-season stay in the top-flight shuddered to an end this afternoon after Newcastle beat them 2-1 at Turf Moor. Agonisingly, a victory for the hosts would have sealed their survival, but their disastrous start left them with a mountain to climb.

Jackson was handed the reins temporarily after the club sacked Sean Dyche in an eyebrow-raising decision, one which has ultimately failed to pay off.

And, speaking post-match to the BBC, he insisted he could not have demanded more from his players – before hailing their supporters for sticking with them.

‘It’s raw, we’ve got a group of players who are gutted,’ he said.

‘I don’t think there is any other word to say about that. The effort they’ve put in since we came in has been brilliant.

‘Today we’ve come out on the wrong side of chasing the game. We had some really good chances but couldn’t take them.

‘There wasn’t much in the game but we gave the penalty away and they could sit in a bit more. You end up chasing it and don’t get the rhythm.

‘There is a lot of emotion in it. I’m gutted for everyone involved but proud as well as I couldn’t have asked any more from them.

On the fans, he added: ‘They stuck with us even at the end. It’s their club. we’re gutted we couldn’t give them what they wanted.

‘I hope they saw a group that was fighting for them.’

Striker Ashley Barnes also fronted up to the cameras after they were condemned to Championship football, and says only the club are to blame for their downfall.

He did not hold back when confirming their drop was his rock bottom, either.

‘Obviously it’s a tough one to take,’ Barnes told Sky Sports.

‘We had it in our hands and we obviously gave it away. It’s a sad, sad day for everyone involved in the club but hopefully next year we can bounce back.

‘We can’t use any excuses – it’s down to ourselves.

‘Three wins in the first 20 games or something is relegation form. We gave ourselves some hope in these last few games but wasn’t to be.

‘We’re all to blame for the job we’ve not done. It lies on our shoulders especially us older ones.’

Questioned on if it was his lowest point, he replied: ‘Definitely. It’s a sad day for me.’