ALTRINCHAM are searching for their third manager of the season after sacking manager Jim Harvey exactly three months after he was appointed successor to Neil Young.

The decision was relayed to him by chairman Grahame Rowley on Tuesday, following a board meeting to discuss the club's perilous position at the foot of the Vanarama National League North.

Assistant manager Matt Doughty took the reins for Tuesday night's 2-2 FA Trophy draw with Blyth Spartans and will continue in interim charge, aided by Robbie Lawton and Graham Heathcote, while the club carefully consider their next move.

"In common with most people, we felt we had the right person with the right pedigree to take us forward when we appointed Jim," said Rowley. "He arrived with a reputation for getting the best out of teams and players and seemed the perfect fit for turning round our fortunes.

"Unfortunately, it hasn't happened, and something had to be done. I accept he took on a very difficult task, but the plain fact is, three months down the line, there is no sign of progress.

"Jim was very disappointed when I told him the news, but when action is needed, it has to be taken. We have been waiting for things to improve, and desperately hoping they might, but there is nothing to suggest our fortunes are about to take a turn for the better.

"There are no green shoots of recovery, which is the least you need to persevere with things as they are and give the manager more time. It hurts to say it, but we are drifting, and, as a board, we simply can't sit by and allow that to happen.

"This club has a great tradition, with a fighting spirit at the very heart of it, and we want to get that back. That's why the next appointment is so important. We want to make sure it is the right one, rather than a rushed one. It will be a thorough process, to try and ensure we find someone who can put that fighting spirit out on the pitch."

Under Doughty, the Robins drew an entertaining draw with Blyth Spartans after twice taking the lead but being pegged back.

A much-weakened Alty side – without six first-teamers due to injury or ineligibility – led through Jake Moult on six minutes.

Jarrett Rivers' close-range goal for Spartans made it 1-1 midway through the first half, but Moult scored his second from the penalty spot after Tom Hannigan's shot had been handled.

That lead lasted just three minutes as Sean Reid scored a second for the high-flyers from the division below.

No further goals after the break means the two will meet again on Saturday with the winners hosting Macclesfield Town in the next round on December 20.

There was one piece of good news for Altrincham, with the return for the final half-hour of Shaun Densmore, who had been out injured for more than a year.