GUISELEY have sacked manager Paul Cox and two of his backroom team after a disastrous run of six defeats has left them five points adrift at the bottom of the National League.

Assistant manager Adam Murray and coach Ben Marvin have also been dismissed with the Lions 10 points from safety with just 14 games to go.

Recent signing Sean St Ledger, a Republic of Ireland international, is taking training until a "suitable replacement" is found.

The club's board are refusing to make any additional comment at the current time

Cox has paid the price for Guiseley’s plunge towards relegation from the National League.

He was dismissed just hours after Tuesday night’s dismal 1-0 home defeat by Gateshead as owner  Steve Parkin finally ran out of patience.

It has not been revealed who will help St Ledger prepare the side for Saturday’s home game with Maidenhead United. The Lions also play AFC Fylde at Nethermoor on Tuesday.

Guiseley are rock bottom, five points adrift and ten off safety. They now have only 14 games to save themselves and need a footballing miracle.

Cox was in charge for 25 league games, in which the Lions won only three, drew eight and lost 14. The highlight of his reign was beating 
Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup to reach the second round for the first time.

The former Mansfield and Barrow boss took over at Nethermoor in September when Adam Lockwood and his assistant David Penney were dismissed after a sluggish start to the campaign.

Many Guiseley followers found his direct style of football alien to what they have become used to in previous seasons and gates have gone down. 

Perhaps it would have been accepted if the results had been better, but they haven't and have actually got worse.

Cox worked tirelessly to oversee sweeping change at the club as it moved to full-time, a move that was necessary but may now be considered badly timed as it was done with the season already under way and has caused considerable discord.

A lengthy injury list frustrated Cox who brought in a succession of new signings and loan players in a bid to turn things around. The team was repeatedly changed and the lack of contunity ultimately led to uncertainty and undermined spirit.

It was an indication of just how much change there has been that only two members of the side that started against Gateshead on Tuesday, Ash Palmer and Callum McFadzean, weren't signed by Cox.

It has been quite literally a revolving door for players this season. Left back Marcus Williams, who hadn't played a game all season, was the most recent departure on loan to York City who have now turned  Connor Brown's loan into a permanent deal.

Older players have gone out to be replaced by younger inexperienced ones. They need time to be nurtured and that is something that Guiseley do not have if they are to salvage anything from their season.