Braintree Town have parted company with manager Alan Devonshire.

Devonshire turned down the offer of a new deal this week, and so the Essex club are on the look-out for a new manager.

The Iron board have asked Academy boss, Mark Sansom, to takeover as caretaker manager for tomorrow’s away game at Wrexham, and also the final game of the season, at home to Altrincham.

Devonshire was offered an extension to his contract, on the same terms, last weekend, but has decided to turn down that offer.

So that brings to an end an association that has brought great success to the over-achieving Essex club over the last four years.

Devonshire has worked wonders to keep Braintree, considered to be one of the minnows of the Conference, in the top flight of non-league, against all odds.

His final game yielded a 2-0 win at Southport on Tuesday night.

Chairman Lee Harding revealed: “Alan advised that he had been approached by third parties for next season, and was not prepared to sign, as he felt that he wanted to speak with them.

“We agreed to give him until Thursday evening to consider our offer, but he was still not prepared to sign.”