Relegated Hawks part company with manager Lee Bradbury

The Westleigh Park side and the former Pompey front man have cut ties ‘by mutual consent’ following their relegation from the National League.

Today’s 2-0 defeat at fellow relegated side Aldershot was Bradbury’s final game in charge.

The ex-Bournemouth boss, who held talks with Hartlepool earlier this season about their recent managerial vacancy, had been in charge at the Hawks since October 2012.

He enjoyed two promotions with the club and guided them to the National League for the first time in their history last term.

This season, however, the now relegated Hawks have struggled with the step up to the fifth tier of English football, winning only nine of their 45 league games to date.

They have won just once in their past 15 games and twice on the road all season.

The team also possess the worst defensive record in the National league – conceding 82 goals.

Defeat at Aldershot saw them slip below their opponents into 22nd place in the table.

A club statement read: 'The Hawks and Lee Bradbury have parted company this evening by mutual consent following the 2-0 defeat at Aldershot.

'Lee has been with the club for nearly seven years and is held in high esteem by both the board and the club.

'Together with his family he will always be welcome back at Westleigh Park.'

The Hawks are yet to announce who will take charge of their Hampshire Senior Cup final outing against Basingstoke Town at Eastleigh on Wednesday night.

They bring the curtain down on their ill-fated league campaign against Barnet at Westleigh Park on Saturday (12.30pm).