CRAIG Watters has been appointed as Southend Manor's third manager of the season after Michael Walther was sacked following just 42 days in charge.

Walther left his role on the coaching staff of Hullbridge Sports to replace Adam Peek in the Southchurch Park hotseat.

But Manor chairman Jerry Omango chose to relieve Walther of his duties following the 2-0 Errington Challenge Cup defeat to Hoddesdon Town, much to the disappointment of Walther.

Walther said: "When I came in as manager, the squad was already struggling.

"But I felt like I was building a decent side.

"Due to the lack of players we are able to attract to the club, Southend Manor are always going to be lower to mid-table in the Essex Senior League.

"It's very difficult to push into the top half of the table as Southend Manor is a club that a lot of players don't want to come to because of the location.

"Having said that, we built a really good team spirit even though the results weren't quite coming.

"Unfortunately, the chairman didn't have the patience to allow the team to progress with me in charge."

However, Walther was not surprised to see his reign come to an abrupt end.

"My sacking doesn't come as a surprise because these things happen in football," he added.

"I had just got the coaching team together because, when I went into Southend Manor, I was more or less on my own.

"The chairman did not have patience to see the project through and, although it is frustrating, that's football."