PHIL Mullen resigned as Evesham United's manager soon after watching his side lose for the tenth time in 15 matches this season, writes Mervyn Collins.

The manner of Mullen's departure on Tuesday night was surprising but the parting of the ways was perhaps inevitable given the club's precarious league position and early exits in the both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

"We've had an awful start and Tuesday night typified my season," Mullen admitted.

"I spoke to some of the lads about it at Gloucester but I said that I would stay in charge until after Tuesday's match.

"I felt that now is the right time for me to make way for someone new to be brought in. They will have plenty of time to turn things around and I still feel that the players are good enough to climb the league.

"I love the club to bits," Mullen continued. "I have had the full support of the chairman despite the troubles. He has been brilliant but like me he just can't understand the amount of bad luck that we have had endured this season."

Before leaving, Mullen revealed that Wesley Joyce had been sacked after his sending off last weekend, while Shaun Pratt had told him on the morning of the Gloucester game that he no longer wanted to be part of his plans.

There had been more bad news the previous day when goalkeeper Tim Clarke was told that he was suffering from a stress fracture of an ankle and he would be missing for at least a month.

And, as if to compound Saturday's sorry tale of woe, Gary Barnett left for Kidderminster following the Nationwide League club's decision to replace Ian Britton with former boss Jan Molby!

Paul West and Micky Brennan have been put in temporary charge of team affairs and, with a limited fixture list over the next few weeks, chairman Jim Cockerton is in no hurry to find a permanent successor.

"Apparently, Phil told the players before the match against Rugby that it would be his last game in charge," the Robins chief revealed.

"I knew the feelings of the committee and told Phil on Saturday that he was under a lot of pressure.

"It all started to go wrong on New Year's Day but Phil did a great job in bringing stability to the club when we had been the whipping boys and also-rans for so long. He took us to fourth in his first full season in charge and, on behalf of the committee, I would like to add my thanks and appreciation for his efforts in the four years that he was in charge."

The chairman added that the players had met following Mullen's decision to leave and he was confident that the majority would be staying at Common Road.

"They said that they wanted to stick together and that was great to hear. Brenzo (Micky Brennan) offered his services and I feel sure that with Westy alongside we can turn things around."

The temporary duo's first task will be to select a side to visit Sutton Coldfield in the Dr Martens League Cup next Tuesday night after this weekend's fixture blank.

And, with the next two Western Division matches against fellow strugglers Yate Town (November 1 and 15), former boss Brennan and West have a chance to impress although the former has indicated that he has no wish to do the job on a permanent basis.