ALEX Meechan is no longer in charge of the first team but his ties with Bradford Park Avenue have not been cut.

Following a winless start to the season that stretched to a dozen games with Saturday’s FA Cup exit at home to Salford City, Meechan was relieved of all first-team duties by the club after a meeting with the owner Gareth Roberts and director of football Terry Dolan.

Meechan said: “I parted on good terms with Gareth and Terry and I will continue working with the club.

“I was honest on Saturday after the Salford game when I said what I did about people taking responsibility at the club. I’ve been fighting fires, and Gareth and Terry knew that all along.”

Avenue have lost eight games on the trot in Vanarama National League North since opening the season with three draws.

Those three points leave Avenue at the foot of the table, six points behind three clubs above the safety mark who have a game in hand on them.

A costly defeat FA Cup defeat at their first hurdle was the last straw, and the Avenue board decided to act.

They hope to announce Meechan’s successor before Saturday’s derby at The Shay against FC Halifax Town.

It promises to be a tough fixture as the Shaymen are currently tenth, just four points off the play-off places.

They also progressed in the FA Cup with a 5-0 win at Ashton Athletic.