TONY Lee is back as manager of Spennymoor after the Unibond League club parted company with Alex Mathie following Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Hucknall.

Lee, who quit as boss at the Brewery Field in January, was given the job for the second time on Sunday after a meeting with owner Benny Mottram.

Mathie was appointed following the departure of Jamie Pollock in June, and Mottram announced their parting by 'mutual consent.'

However, it became clear that the club's patience was wearing thin after Moors suffered their third defeat in just five games.

Former Ipswich and Newcastle striker Mathie, whose two main summer signings, Gary Hobson and Neil Richardson, left the club before a ball was kicked, said: "I'm disappointed, but that's the way it goes."

With a place in the new Northern Conference at stake, Mottram has decided to act now. "We couldn't afford to sit and wait, especially as we must finish in the top 13. Tony and I had a chat about what Spennymoor needs and in which direction we're going. It's a matter now of going forward."

Lee, who is hoping to shortly appoint an assistant, said: "I very much enjoyed my time with Spennymoor before, and only left on a matter of principle.

* More soccer news on page 18.