AFC TOTTON’S visit to third-placed Mangotsfield United ended in frustration yesterday – just like their plans to name a new manager.

Not only were the Stags unable to announce a successor to Steve Hollick prior to their 3-0 Southern One South & West defeat in Bristol, they were also without their caretaker boss, writes Wendy Gee.

Andy Darnton was forced to cry off with a stomach upset, so it was left to Wayne Mew, the club’s trusty jack of all trades, to step into the breach again.

But with experienced quartet Mike Gosney, Pat Wilson, Nathaniel Sherborne and Dave Allen all unavailable, the deputy caretaker was seriously up against it.

Two Lewis Powell strikes plunged the Stags into first-half arrears and their chances of turning it around came to grief when defender Jack Vallis was sent off for a second yellow with 20 minutes to go.

The final slap in the face came on 83 minutes when, on a miserably wet afternoon, goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe let Tom Fry's cross slither from his grasp and over the line.

Mew reflected: “We were a bit short player-wise and deservedly got beat. The two first-half goals were poor ones to give away defensively. We came out second half and were matching them, but then Jack Vallis was sent off for pushing an opponent.

"We went three at the back and stuck a second guy up top to try and get something out of the game, but conceded a late third.

“I enjoy the manager’s job when I do it, but we needed a full squad today,” Mew added. “Mangotsfield’s not the easiest place to go and, with players missing, it was a big ask.

“We had three under-18s on the bench – Calum Hellyar, who went on for the last few minutes, Alex Haynes and George Ockwell.”

Mew will himself be unavailable this coming Saturday when 20th-placed Totton host North Leigh, looking to build on recent home wins over Slimbridge and Bridgwater.

He stressed: “The managerial situation needs to be sorted. The guys at the top know that, but they need to get the right person.

“We’re just trying to keep the players ticking over for training and games until it gets resolved.”

Totton's official statement, issued prior to yesterday's game, said: "We continue to try to bring in what we as a club see as the best manager for AFC Totton. "We understand the frustration of supporters as time continues to move on with no announcement being made.

"Our vice-chairman, Roy Edwards has been working very hard to resolve the issue with meetings of prospective new managers. "This task has been made more difficult with the continued illness of the club chairman, which we are sure everybody understands.

“We will be talking to those in the running for the role over the weekend with a view to making an announcement, hopefully, early next week. "We will not continue to move forward without a manager in position. "We have been lucky enough to receive numerous applications from prospective managers who we believe can take AFC Totton forward. It is now time to move on.

“There have been plenty of rumours in the local press and we would stress that they are nothing but rumours at this time.

“Thank you for your patience.”

Ex-Totton striker Michael Charles is out of the running having been named as new boss of Combined Counties outfit Badshot Lea.

Charles - who recently stepped down as Alton boss - takes over from ex-Eastleigh striker Neville Roach, who has returned to Basingstoke Town to manage their under-21s.