A dramatic day on the non-league scene has left Jewson League clubs Harwich and Brightlingsea managerless.

This morning Phil Boyland was sacked as boss of premier division strugglers Harwich, while Gary Harvey quit as manager of Brightlingsea.

The news was not unexpected as both clubs had made a disastrous start to the season.

Those poor runs continued last night - the Shrimpers going down 2-0 at Ipswich Wanderers, while Brightlingsea were humiliated at home to Burnham Ramblers, losing an Essex Senior Cup-tie 8-0.

Harwich's Royal Oak hot-seat - occupied by Boyland for just over six months - has been filled on a caretaker basis by Shrimpers defender Gary Harvey, namesake of the former Brightlingsea boss. He will be assisted by Scott Young and Didi Gray.

Former Clacton and Harwich boss Steve Wright, who has been assisting the manager at North Road, will be in charge for Brightlingsea's home clash with Chatteris on Saturday, after which the club's committee will discuss the vacancy.

Harwich currently sit one place above the relegation zone - their worst position in more than a decade - and have won just once all season.

Division one Brightlingsea have scored only two goals in seven matches.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.