STEWART Kearn has held tentative discussions with chairman Mark Bartlett over the vacant manager’s position at Wessex Premier outfit Hamworthy United.

Kearn, formerly joint-manager of Southern League Bashley, joined Hammers as assistant manager to Graham Kemp last season but has had to limit his involvement in recent months in order to focus on his coaching qualifications.

But despite being tempted by a return to the top position at the County Ground following Kemp’s switch to Dorchester Town on Thursday, Kearn revealed that he had yet to formally apply and that discussions with Bartlett were ongoing.

Kearn, who was once on the books at Sheffield Wednesday, told the Daily Echo: “I haven’t gone as far as to throw my hat in the ring yet but I have had a couple of chats with Mark.

“I am due to speak with him again this week so it is a case of seeing what develops.

“We have a strong squad at Hamworthy and sometimes continuity can be a good thing.

“But there is a lot to discuss and Mark will no doubt have a lot of options for the committee to consider.”

First-team coach John Macey, who took charge of yesterday's 3-2 defeat at Whitchurch United, has ruled himself out of the running but could stay as part of the backroom staff after confirming the increased travel had stopped him following Kemp to the Avenue Stadium.

Macey said: “As long as Hamworthy need me, I will be here to help but I am not interested in taking over.

“I think the club needs to look to a younger, more vibrant man in this day in age.

“I just hope they get it sorted out quite quickly. There is a lot of potential here but we need stability round the place.”

Hammers twice threatened to come back from two goals down at Longmeadow but a pair of Dominic Allen penalties proved in vain as they left Hampshire empty-handed.

Hammers: Ackerman, Penny, Cole, Legg (Donachy, 65), Walker, Blackburn, Allen, Martin (Swann, 57), Warren, Osborne, Hester.