Second Division Crook Town this lunchtime sacked management pair Paul Adamson and Brian Maitland.

The move follows Crook's draw at Thornaby on Tuesday night, a result that left them twelfth in the table.

Chairman Kieran Bennett said: "We thought it right for the club that we go our separate ways at this point in time. I'd prefer not to say any more."

Adamson admitted that he was "shocked" when he recived the news of his sacking. "It came as a bolt from the blue. We might be in midtable, and although we're not a great run, we've been winning more games than we're losing. Plus, we're not too far off the promotion places, and we're seventh in the form table with eleven points from our last six matches."

Player-coach Gary Pearson will probably take over for Crook's next game, at Morpeth on Saturday, with senior player Richard Hodgson assisting him.