Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has urged his players and staff to keep fighting and remain positive in their battle against relegation.

The Black Cats lost 1-0 at the hands of Queens Park Rangers last Saturday, leaving Coleman's side without a win in nine and five points from safety at the bottom of the Championship table.

The Welsh manager was adamant that Paul Smyth should have been ruled offside in the incident that led to Jason Steele's dismissal at Loftus Road, with the Sunderland keeper being sent off for a handball outside the area as Smyth prepared to shoot into an open goal.

"Saturday, the sending-off incident, it is a classic example of where we are," Coleman told reporters.

"I had a suspicion at the time that he might have been offside and then when I've looked at a still, the linesman is two yards away from where he should be. The QPR striker who closes Steeley down is two yards offside. We don't get that decision, Steele gets sent off and yeah, we can't argue with that. We lose 1-0 but I thought the boys deserved more.

"I never thought we were going to lose. Yeah, we were looking at changing things offensively to ask more questions but we never looked like losing it. It was a kick in the guts really but we can't dwell on it, and that would have been the same if we won.

"There's a fight to be fought and a mountain to climb. It is so hard for everybody to stay positive, but that is all we've got to do, keep fighting, because we've still got a chance. While that is still there the unforgivable thing is not to fight."

Sunderland host Preston North End on Saturday as they attempt to close the gap on 21st-placed Barnsley.