Interim duo throw their hats into ring

"We'd like the job full time," was the message from interim joint bosses Dave Rushbury and Martin Foster after Tuesday night's scoreless home draw with FC United of Manchester made it three games without defeat for the Gladiators under their stewardship, writes Ian Richardson.

Acting as the pair's spokesman, Rushbury said: "We've put in a last minute application as we needed to see the reaction of the players to our methods. The lads have been fantastic. We've been granted an interview but really our interview has also been about what has been going off on the pitch in our games in charge and we think it's been really positive."

Their care-taking era at the Premier Division club after the departure of former manager Mark Atkins started with a disappointing defeat at Grantham. Since then, both Witton Albion and Stourbridge have been beaten 3-1 and 4-1 respectively prior to the FC United stalemate and he added: "In the last three games we've taken seven out of the last nine points, scored seven goals and conceded just two which represents a good turnaround in our fortunes.

"To be honest we fancied ourselves to get good results in the two games prior to FC United, now we've played a top ten team and matched them. Yes they've had a lot of the ball and put the ball into good areas, yes, they've had a better level of fitness than us as their players have come down from a better level, but we've shown aggression, a willingness to work, particularly in the first half when the conditions were horrible and against us.

"But we created the best chance and I think Lavell knows he should have put it away. Now the lads believe that if they can keep their goal intact we can score, even if it didn't come on Tuesday night. Now we look a hard team to beat to get us out of the situation we're in."

"But resilience doesn't come cheaply. We'd all have been really disappointed if we'd have folded. I don't think we were resilient enough before. These results are a cornerstone for what we're going to be about in the next eight to ten games, whether we take over or whatever. I repeat, credit to the players, it's their hard work once they get over that white line that has brought about the better results."

Rushbury and Foster, along with the other candidates for the post at the Autoworld Arena, shouldn't have long to discover their fate. Chairman Tom Wright said: "We've had some really good applications and have sorted out the shortlist. Interviews are taking place over the next few days and we'll be looking to make the appointment before the following weekend's game."

Foster, who at 36 years is Matlock's most senior player, while Rushbury, 58, made over 400 Football League appearances including spells at West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday before becoming manager at Chesterfield and Director of Football at Alfreton Town.

Looking ahead to Workington on Saturday before Frickley Athletic visit the Autoworld Arena on Tuesday night, Rushbury added: "It's four hours there and four hours back on Saturday so they'll have a steady time of it at training on Thursday for they've worked their socks off.

"But we'll be preparing properly and looking to build on these last three results. As for Frickley we know they're a strong unit, we know what they're about, it'll be tough but we're improving and showing encouraging signs in competing well against whoever we play."

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