SIMON Browne claimed he discovered he was to be sacked as Hamworthy United manager in the build-up to his final match against Lymington Town last night.

Browne announced his departure at full-time following an eventful 2-2 draw in the Wessex League Premier Division, with assistant Lee Chudy and coaches John Robson and Steele Saunders also heading for the exit.

United's long-serving boss said he had been made aware of his fate after confronting chairman Steve Harvey before the game over speculation that a replacement had already been lined up.

The Daily Echo understands that the decision was taken at a committee meeting on Monday evening with former Christchurch manager Graham Kemp – who left Winchester City two-and-a-half weeks ago – favourite for the Hammers hot seat.

Harvey confirmed the departures and that Browne’s former assistant, Sean Bartlett, would be placed in temporary charge, but politely declined to comment further prior to gathering his thoughts.

After addressing his squad for the last time, Browne, who had recently chalked up four years in charge, emerged from the dressing room on the back of warm applause from his players.

Browne told the Daily Echo: “I will miss the place and I will miss the people, but I don’t want to be out of football for too long so I’ll quickly recharge my batteries and look to get back out there.

“I was told the reasons were that results had not been as good as they could have been and that too many players had left the club of late.

“Joe Shovelton left earlier in the season while we lost Matt Head, Andy Knights and Sam Pekun more recently, but we have brought in the likes of Aaron Corby, Dominic Allen, David Legg and Ben Osborne.

“The only question I have over the results would be why it wasn’t done two weeks ago, before we got our first win for a while and a few draws.”

Sam Lanahan's eighth-minute strike opened the scoring for Hamworthy after a bright start which saw new signing Ben Osborne clear the crossbar from point-blank range. 

However, Lymington passed and probed well and deserved their equaliser when Darren Ritchie prodded home on 26 minutes. 

Several players from each side were invloved in a fracas as the teams came in for the half-time interval. Lymo defender Dan Pancaldi lifted a dustbin above his head during the altercation before the match officials stepped in. No players were sanctioned over the incident. 

Shane Sims's free kick deceived home keeper Adam Tong to hand Town the lead seven minutes after the restart, but Greg Horlock restored parity three minutes later with a thumping header from Stefan Penny's centre.

A fractious match largely petered out before Sam Alexander-Floyd was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. 

Hammers: Tong, Biles (Diaper, 68), Legg (Claremont, 81), Horlock, Tayler, Stacey, Penny, Corby, Lanahan (Fisk, 76), Osborne, Hester. Unused subs: Chudy, Ball (g/k).