Bishop Auckland's new boss Brian Healy admits he's been thrown in at the deep end, writes Ray Simpson.

Healy, a former Bishops player who also turned out as a pro with Torquay and Darlington, will take charge of his first game tomorrow night with Bishops just two points off the bottom of the UniBond First Division table. He is expected to bring Andy Fletcher with him as his assistant.

"I know the job is going to be very hard. I'm not going into it with blinkers on," he said. "I see it as a fantastic opportunity. My immediate priority will be to get some bodies in, because I know that some players have left. But I'll be taking a good look at the players I have first."

Healy might also have to dissuade other players from leaving, as several Northern League clubs have made approaches for players in the last week.

Bishops chairman Terry Jackson interviewed two other candidates with the rest of the board on Friday, and said: "Brian came across as a very good candidate, and we were very impressed by his enthusiasm and his desire to do a great job."

Bishops were missing several regulars on Saturday as they lost 2-0 at Eastwood Town. Darren Horrigan pulled off a couple of good saves before Eastwood took the lead when Deon Meikle scored from a corner, with Horrigan claiming that he was fouled.

Eastwood got their second on 68 minutes when Richard Cooper crossed for Peter Knox to score with a header.