SACKED Rossendale United boss John Hughes has insisted the club were making progress before his dismissal on Saturday.

After 16 months in charge, Hughes was relieved of his duties immediately after the Stags’ 2-0 home defeat to East Lancashire rivals Bacup Borough in the first round of the FA Vase.

Rossendale were relegated from UniBond First Division North during Hughes’ first season at the helm, having only escaped the drop a year earlier because a league reshuffle meant they did not go down, and they are currently in the bottom half of the Vodkat Premier Division.

Chairman Steve Hobson said at the weekend that he felt the club were not making progress but, although the Stags have not won in their last five games, Hughes pointed to a recent seven-match unbeaten run and believes he needed more time.

“Steve works tirelessly for that club and I know that,” said Hughes.

“He said there had been no progress, though, but before Saturday we had been unbeaten in seven games.

“Last year we couldn’t compete financially and I had to rebuild the team because we lost five players in the summer.

“We were beaten by Bacup on Saturday and they were better than us, but we were without our goalkeeper and it is difficult without key players.

“Steve asked for a word afterwards and there were one or two things behind the scenes that I wasn’t happy with.

"I said that, but he said they were going to relieve me of my duties.

"I didn’t argue with it. I had started to think I didn’t need it.

“I’m friends with Steve and I don’t want to fall out with him. I wish the club well.”

Hobson has put their backroom staff, including Hughes’ assistant Mickey Graham, in charge for Saturday’s trip to Congleton and they may yet be given the chance to lead the club long term.

Rossendale have already received around 15 applications but Hobson says an appointment may not be made for a few weeks, with the club keen to get the right man.