Portsmouth rivals sack manager - one week after putting dent in Blues' title ambitions at Fratton Park

Fleetwood Town have parted company with manager Lee Johnson – just a week after helping the Cod Army put a dent in Pompey’s title ambitions.

The Highbury Stadium announced the decision on Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Friday night’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bolton. A statement on the club website read: 'Fleetwood Town can confirm Lee Johnson has left the club with immediate effect. Assistant Manager Darren Way and First Team Coach Phil Jevons will also depart – everyone at the Club would like to place on record our thanks to Lee, Darren, and Phil for their hard work and professionalism during their time at the club.The Club will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.'

Johnson, who was only appointed Fleetwood manager on September 10, departs with the club second from bottom in the League One table and two points from safety.

The former Hibs and Sunderland manager was axed after overseeing five defeats in the Cod Army’s past seven league games. They also exited the FA Cup with a 4-0 defeat away to Cambridge United.

Since Johnson's appointment, Fleetwood’s record stood at P21 W6 D5 L10. Two of those draws preceeded Friday night’s loss to Bolton, with the North West side following up their pre-Christmas 1-1 draw at Fratton Park with an identical scoreline against Carlisle on Boxing Day.

While Fleetwood and their 94 supporters revelled in their stalemate at PO4 – their fifth consecutive draw against the Blues on the south coast – it marked a dip in form for John Mousinho’s table toppers. Indeed, heading into the game, Pompey sat seven points clear at the top of the League One table. However, defeat to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, plus last night’s goalless draw at Exeter, means the Blues' advantage at the summit has been cut to two points. Moreover, second-placed Bolton have a game in hand.

Pompey travel to Fleetwood on January 20, with the Cod Army will hope to have a successor to Johnson in place.