Double act share hot-seat

Ashton United have appointed Paul Phillips and Steve Halford as their new management after Craig Robinson stood down at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Robins.

Robinson, 30, took over at Hurst Cross in May as player-manager following the departure of former manager Danny Johnson to Nantwich Town. He cited 'personal reasons' for his resignation on Thursday and goes with the Premier Division club's best wishes.

Club keeper Phillips, pictured collecting his Player of the Year accolade from Johnson in May, was already a part of the club's coaching team and takes charge with immediate effect having been among the original candidates for the post.

Halford left First Division North Mossley after two years at the helm of the Lilywhites to work alongside Phillips. Mossley moved swifty to replace him within hours of his departure by promoting former assistant manager Peter Band.

Mossley expect to announce their new manager's assistant within days and Ashton have the Lilywhites for giving them permission to approach Halford.

In a statement issued on Friday, they said: "Ashton United would like to place on record their thanks to our friends at Mossley FC for giving permission to the club to approach their manager and for the professional and pragmatic way in which they have conducted the transfer.

"It is not a good time of the year to find that you have to change your management team however it is noted that Mossley have made a swift appointment in Peter Band. We wish Peter and his team the very best for the future and hope that they settle in and achieve success."

Ashton United Chairman Dave Aspinall paid tribute to the outgoing Robinson and tipped the defender to make a successful return to the dugout in the future.

Aspinall said: "It is with great regret that I have today accepted the resignation of Craig as manager of the club. The Hurst Cross Board has reluctantly agreed to accept the decision and would like to thank 'Robbo' for the hard work put in at the club over the summer. We are certain that he will make a successful return to management when the time is right."

Robinson joined Ashton in 2008 and was player-assistant manager to Johnson over much of the last two seasons.