Hythe Town manager Andy Drury resigns with the Cannons 12 points from safety | Drury the club’s third boss to depart this season after Ira Jackson and Darren Beale sacked

Andy Drury has resigned as manager of struggling Hythe Town after only eight games in charge.

The Cannons are 12 points from safety in the Southern Counties East Premier Division with six games remaining after losing 5-2 at Kennington on Saturday.

They are facing successive relegations, just three years after reaching the Isthmian South East play-off final, and are looking for their fourth manager this season.

Ira Jackson and Darren Beale were both sacked and Drury, who took charge at the end of January, has left in a move that has taken the club by surprise.

“Following today’s heavy defeat away at Kennington, Andy Drury has stepped down from his role as first-team manager with immediate effect,” said a Cannons statement.

“Andy came in during a very difficult period for the club and was fully backed by the board, who gave him the freedom to build the squad he felt was needed to keep us up.

“Unfortunately, results haven’t gone our way and this decision has come as a surprise to everyone.

“We respect Andy’s decision and thank him for his efforts during his time with us.

“This leaves the club in a tough position with only a short time left in the season, but the board will continue to work hard to do what’s best for Hythe Town and fight until the very end.”

Drury won two of his seven league games in charge, with one draw and four defeats, while Town also exited the Challenge Cup at Bearsted.