Harrogate Railway Athletic have announced that manager Lee Ashforth has resigned from his post with immediate effect.

A statement from the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side said that their "committee and club as a whole would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Lee for his time at the club as both player and manager.

"As a young manager, Lee's professionalism, commitment and dedication has been second to none. If anyone deserved success, it is Lee.

"We would like to take this opportunity to wish Lee all the best for the future in what ever the future has for him."

The news came following Saturday's 5-0 home defeat to Consett in the Emirates FA Cup whilst a 7-0 loss to visitors Handsworth Parramore last midweek left Rail with only three points from their opening four league games.

The club are now inviting applications for the first team manager's role, to be made in writing via email to their football secretary David Shepherd at shep@therailfc.com.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 16th September, 2016.