HARTLEPOOL United have sacked manager Darren Sarll after just six months in charge.

Sarll's exit comes as no surprise after Pools endured a slow start to the season and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Brackley Town, who are 13th in National League North.

Former Middlesbrough boss Lennie Lawrence will take over manager duties in the interim and Pools say he will be supported by the "existing football staff".

Hartlepool say "a further update will follow in due course".

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Pools enjoyed a promising enough start to the season, avoiding defeat in their first four games, but have only won four of their first 13 games and are languishing in 16th in the National League.

They came from behind to beat Sutton in their last league game but that just delayed the inevitable for Sarll, who was unpopular with supporters. Pools could only manage a draw at home to Brackley in the FA Cup fourth round qualifying on Saturday before losing the replay last night.

Sarll replaced Kevin Phillips in the summer after Pools failed to agree a new contract with their former boss. Phillips has since been appointed as boss of SFC Fylde.

Pools are back in action this Saturday when they travel to Maidenhead.