Ryman Premier outfit Leiston have named former Bury Town boss Richard Wilkins as their new manager.

We revealed on Saturday that Blues chairman Andy Crisp was set to offer the job to Wilkins, who had been working as departing manager Steve Ball’s number two at Victory Road this season.

Wilkins, who spent 14 years in charge at Bury, will lead Leiston, one position outside the play-off places, for the first time tonight at home to eighth-placed Grays Athletic, with Ball (inset) having left to work as a full-time coach at Colchester United, following Saturday’s 3-2 win against Bognor Regis.

“There are not that many jobs in the area that would appeal to me, but Leiston is a positive club with some good people on board,” said Wilkins, who will be helped in the short-term by ex-Bury Town youngster Elliot Hunter.

Wilkins has injury problems ahead of tonight’s game with Tom Bullard, Leon Ottley-Gooch and Patrick Brothers all missing.

Despite that, Wilkins won’t be afraid to alter certain things.

“There are certain things Steve did that I might not have done, but to be fair to him, we chatted about everything and the final say was with him,” said Wilkins, who left Bury in May.

“We worked extremely well as a partnership, we sing off the same hymn sheet in the way we want to play and there isn’t too much tinkering to do.

“We are in a decent position although we are conceding too many soft goals at the minute.

“We are being punished for every single mistake right now. We are probably five or six points off where I think we should be.

“Our target is the play-offs but it is going to be tough.”