Lindstedt said that he was absolutely staggered to be informed that he had been relieved of his duties.

"I was offered the job in the close season and again in August. Steven Smith resigned as manager in early September and the club submitted its resignation to the League.

"It was then that I agreed to take over because I didn't want to see the club fold.

"When I left Ryhope CW at the end of last season after six very happy years, I had no intention of making an early return to management but Silksworth were, quite frankly, in a mess.

"Two days after being sent packing I still cannot comprehend the decision. Carl and I have worked our socks off to try and improve results.

"Yes, we managed just three wins and a draw in 13 games but all but four of those fixtures were against the better teams and Rome wasn't built in a day.

"It took me four years to get Ryhope into the top six and now they are leading the table.

"You could say I'm upset and angry. All I tried to do was help the club but I've been shown the door for no justifiable reason." said Lindstedt.

Chairman Dean Simpson said the committee thought it in the best interests of the club for a change to be made. He thanked the pair for their hard work and wished them well.

Steven Smith has returned to the helm and took charge of the side at Windscale on Saturday.

"I don't want to get involved except to say I'm pleased to be back and delighted with the response I got from the players on Saturday.

"We took 13 players to Windscale and eight of them were under 20. We
lost by a controversial goal and might have picked up a point," said Smith.

Goalkeeper Billy Hedgeley made several good saves but was beaten in the 75th minute by Peter O'Donnell, with the Wearsiders claiming a foul.