DAVE Busst has been sacked as manager of Evesham United following a string of poor results.

The Robins committee voted unanimously to relieve Busst of his duties in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Cheshunt.

United, fourth from bottom in the table, are involved in a relegation battle after winning just five Southern League Premier Division games all season.

The latest defeat proved the final straw for chairman Jim Cockerton and the Evesham board.

Former Coventry City defender Busst, 38, who guided the Common Road club to promotion last season, offered his resignation last October when United slumped to Solihull Borough in the FA Trophy, but the committee turned it down.

However, Cockerton insists a change is now needed to alleviate United's league position, as Busst's assistant Paul West takes charge for the rest of the season.

"It's down to results, simple as that," admitted Cockerton. "Dave brought us a lot of pleasure last season and he's always conducted himself in a very professional manner. The parting is amicable.

"Obviously, we did not expect to win the league or challenge for it. But we expected to reach a comfortable position.

"I did not expect that we would be in a relegation dogfight all season. We believe the resources are here to stay in the league.

"We have done poorly in the cup competitions and, in the league, results against teams below us and around us should have been better.

"We are a positive club and whether this is a positive move, that remains to be seen. But we couldn't afford to sit back and wait for results to improve."

Busst, appointed in November 2003 and whose father John also managed at Common Road during the mid-1990's, believes he would have kept United afloat.

"We are fourth from bottom in the (relegation) play-off place," said Busst. "It's not like we are 15 points adrift.

"With the budget I worked on, it was always going to be a scrap to the end.

"I would have liked the chance to keep Evesham in the league. That would have been one hell of an achievement.

"But I've had two great years at Evesham and that will go on my record. I know I've worked hard for them to be where they are. They are a better club for having me as a manager.

"I hope Evesham stay up after all the hard work of getting promoted. But it depends if they keep the players."