Nationwide Conference club Southport have parted company with manager Phil Wilson.

The former Stalybridge Celtic and Leek Town boss, who took charge at Haig Avenue as Mark Wright's replacement in May 2001, has left by mutual consent.

Wilson's last victory was the FA Cup win over Notts County in mid-November.

Since then Southport had failed to win in nine league games with their defeat at bottom club Kettering on Saturday their sixth reverse in that run.

Wilson admitted trying to keep pace with the growing number of full-time teams in the Nationwide Conference had contributed to his departure

"t's been a difficult time," said Wilson. "The expectations at Southport are very high and being a part-time team now in the Conference makes it very hard even to get into the play-offs.

"We were in the top-five until mid-November but then ended up playing all the top sides in a row and that knocked confidence a bit."

Wilson maintained he was proud of the job he had done at Southport.

"I've not been enjoying it for a period of time. Results haven't helped and we both agreed it was time to move on.

"But I am leaving them ninth in the table and I think as the top semi-professional team in the country with some very good players. I'm leaving them with my head up high."

Port have placed Peter Ward and Gary Bauress in temporary charge but are expected to name a new management team.