JIMMY Mullen resigned as manager of Bromsgrove Rovers yesterday claiming his position had become untenable following the sacking of assistant Bernard Mackie.

Rovers chairman Tom Herbert thanked Mullen for the excellent job he had done at the club and said his decision to sack Mackie was a "cost-cutting exercise".

He said: "I don't think that Jimmy had to leave because Bernard had gone. Cost-cutting is a measure almost every club is going through at the moment.

"I am hopeful we will move on from here and I am still confident we can achieve promotion this season."

Steve Bulls, the team physio, will take charge of Rovers for their trip to 18th-placed Bracknell Town tomorrow (3pm) and Herbert added he wants to get a new manager in place as soon as possible.

Mullen paid tribute to the fans who continually gave him and Mackie backing during their 13-month reign at the Victoria Ground.

He said: "The supporters were absolutely fantastic to myself and Bernard right from my first game in charge when we beat Corby 4-0.

"I am very sad to leave the club, but I am a football man and I will be looking to get back into the game as soon as possible."

Influential midfielder Scott Hadland and defender Phil Male have also left Bromsgrove this week.

Hadland, who had already netted 10 times from central midfield this campaign, has signed for Halesowen Town, while Male has opted to link up with Willenhall Town.