HAYDEN Mullins has left his role as Colchester United head coach.

The U's have made the decision to part company with Mullins following a poor run of form which has seen them lose their last five matches in League Two.

Colchester's 3-2 defeat at Sutton United last night has left them three points above the relegation zone.

They have not won in the league since beating Exeter City on November 23 - and Mullins has paid the price for the poor results.

Of the 32 matches he presided over as permanent head coach in all competitions this season, Mullins secured eight wins, eight draws and 16 defeats.

Mullins' assistant Alex Dyer has also departed his role.

Wayne Brown will take charge as interim head coach.

Gazette:

Mullins was appointed as Colchester head coach last May.

He landed the job on a permanent basis, having impressed while in interim charge in the final weeks of the League Two season.

Mullins, working alongside first-team advisor Paul Tisdale, helped steer the U’s to Football League safety after leading them to three wins, three draws and two defeats in his eight games in temporary charge.

The former Watford caretaker boss had taken the helm in late March, with the U’s lying just four points above the relegation zone having won only one of their previous 25 matches.

Mullins had previously worked as assistant manager to Steve Ball, whom he succeeded as Colchester’s head coach.