EX-SAINTS and Eastleigh defender Dan Harding has stepped into the managerial hot seat at Whitehawk.

The 33-year-old left-back is in caretaker charge of the Vanarama National League South club following Jimmy Dack’s resignation.

Dack, who took over in the summer, stepped aside in the wake of Monday’s 4-0 defeat at Havant & Waterlooville.

Harding will take control of first-team affairs while they look for a replacement.

Harding, who had been helping Dack on the coaching side as well as playing, first joined Whitehawk in September 2016, linking up again with his old Eastleigh boss Richard Hill.

A Whitehawk statement said: “The club would like to thank Jimmy for his efforts and wish him the best of luck in the future.

“Dan Harding steps up as Whitehawk’s new caretaker manager following the resignation of Jimmy Dack last night.

"Dan began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion and also played for Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Southend United, Reading, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Millwall before joining the Hawks in September 2016. Harding is also a former England U21 player.”

Whitehawk are propping up the VNL South with just one point. Their next match is at home to Tom Killick's Poole Town on Saturday.