Wivenhoe Town have parted company with manager Richard Carter with immediate effect.

The shock move comes just days after Carter had led the Dragons to their seventh consecutive win with the 5-0 defeat of Thurrock in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

Carter described the news as coming 'absolutlely out of the blue' and the club has confirmed that ex-player Wayne Ward and former chairman Dave Whymark will take immediate control of first team affairs.

See tomorrow's Gazette for more reaction