Aberystwyth Town have taken the unusual step of replacing manager Matthew Bishop on a temporary basis as the club bid to avoid relegation from the Dafabet Welsh Premier League.

Bishop, who was been in post since the start of the season, has been asked to stand aside “for the time being” in order to allow assistant manager Wayne Jones to oversee first-team affairs.

A club statement released this morning read: “Following a number of indifferent performance over the last few weeks, the Club’s Board has requested that First Team Manager Matthew Bishop stands aside for the time being, in the hope that change of management will provide the impetus for an improvement of fortunes.”

Aberystwyth remain a point above relegation after crashing to a 4-2 defeat against bottom of the table Airbus on the weekend, despite having lead 2-0, in what is the latest of a number of on-field set-backs for the club.

Prior to that Aberystwyth crashed to a 4-0 defeat at home to mid-Wales rivals Newtown with the side taking just four points from their last nine league games.

The recent signings of Carmarthen Town striker Mark Jones and veteran TNS defender Phil Baker have so far failed to reignite the team’s form with the club now deeply embroiled in a relegation battle with four games remaining.

Former Haverfordwest County boss Wayne Jones will take charge for the first time this weekend against Cefn Druids.

CONNAH’S QUAY DEFEAT TNS
Connah’s Quay handed The New Saints their second league defeat of the season as the Nomad’s leapfrogged Bala Town into second spot in the table on Tuesday night.

The Nomads, coming off an impressive victory against Carmarthen, move above Bala Town on goals difference thanks to a spirited 2-1 win at the Deeside Stadium.

Young defender Jamie Jones marked his Saints debut in style by putting the league champions ahead.

And after John Disney’s reply for Connah’s Quay, substitute Declan Poole scored his first goal for the club with a well-struck volley to secure a crucial win for Andy Morrison’s European contenders.

The Nomads have now won three games straight in the WPL as the race between themselves and Bala Town for the second automatic European spot looks set to go to the wire.

Remaining WPL games:

Connah’s Quay
25/03 H – Bangor City
07/04 A – The New Saints
14/04 H – Bala Town
22/04 A – Cardiff Met

Bala Town
25/03 A – Cardiff Met
08/04 H – Carmarthen Town
14/04 A – Connah’s Quay
22/04 H – The New Saints