PAUL Milsom says he was ‘backed into a corner’ by the Mangotsfield United board before his sacking as manager of the Cossham Street club on Tuesday morning.

Milsom and assistant Spencer Thomas leave the club next to bottom of the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division, two points ahead of bottom side Clevedon Town.

They were sacked by chairman Mike Richardson after a tough run in recent weeks where they were hit by a series of budget cuts which saw several key players quit the club.

Rob Scott (Bitton) and Matt Townley (Team Bath) were followed out of the door by top scorer Marcus Duharty, who joined Bridgwater Town.

After Milsom’s departure, former Bristol Rovers defender and ex-Clevedon boss Phil Bater took charge for the 2-1 home defeat by Stourbridge on Tuesday night, and he will do the same for Saturday’s tough trip to Tiverton Town.

Whether Bater takes on the role full-time remains to be seen, with ex-boss Andy Black, now at Bitton, and former Welton boss Chris Mountford also being mentioned as candidates.

“I was sacked by the chairman (Mike Richardson),” confirmed Milsom, 32. “It has been a tough four or five weeks due to budget cuts.

“I have been working with my hands tied and in the end I feel I was backed into a corner.

“A few players have left, the lads have not been paid for five weeks and I am disappointed by the board’s decision.

“Circumstances have not been the best but they have made their decision and I am probably better off out of it.

“It will not get any easier up there as they seem to be in a bit of turmoil with the budget being cut four or five times.”

Milsom, a central defender or striker in his playing days with the likes of Gloucester, Trowbridge, Clevedon, Chippenham and Mangotsfield, took the reins last season and steered Field away from relegation with a five-match unbeaten run.

“I kept the club up last year and in the summer told the board I wanted to have a good go at it this year and would need a competitive budget,” he said.

“They provided it and at one stage we were ninth in the table, but then the budget was cut, and cut, and cut again.

“I was backed into a corner and I am a bit disappointed with the way they have gone about it.”