Matlock Town part company with manager Ricky Ravenhill

The decision was announced within hours of the Gladiators being knocked out of the FA Cup by Stafford Rangers at the preliminary round stage.

On the league front, Matlock find themselves sixth in the NPL East Division after recording two wins and two defeats from their opening four matches.

Ravenhill was expected to take charge of the club as joint-manager alongside Ryan Cresswell this season.

However, Cresswell left days before the new campaign began, having secured a full-time role at Football League side Doncaster Rovers as the head coach of their Under 18s earlier in the summer.

It was initially hoped that Cresswell would be able to combine the two roles, but after the club assessed the "viability of the arrangement" during pre-season, it was decided that he would step away and Ravenhill would remain in sole charge, assisted by Richard Lawrence and Conor Washington in a player-coach capacity.

Ravenhill's time at the helm has lasted less than a month though, with the club now beginning the search for his successor.

A short statement from the club confirming his departure read: "Matlock Town Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Ricky Ravenhill this evening.

"The club thanks Ricky for his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future."