ALEX Mathie has quit as Pickering Town manager.

The former York City, Ipswich Town and Newcastle striker resigned in the wake of the Pikes' 3-1 defeat at home to Garforth Town in the Northern Counties East premier division.

Club chiefs said the decision took them by surprise and happened before a meeting with Mathie about Pickering's future. The 38-year-old had been in charge at Mill Lane since September 2004.

Mathie said he left the club with "a heavy heart" but was frustrated by a crippling injury list and the difficulties of bringing in new players on a limited budget.

Since topping the table earlier this season, Pickering's promotion drive has stalled and the club currently lie 14th following a run of six defeats in the last seven games.

"We had 14 injuries and I just couldn't bring in the quality of player that I wanted," Mathie said. "I didn't want to go, the lads didn't want me to go and the management board didn't want me to go.

"But I have had to think about the best way forward for the club and my contacts in this league are not as good as others at this level. If we didn't have the injuries it would have been different but with 14 injuries - I can't work like that.

"I leave with a heavy heart. I'll now have a little break and see what happens."

Aside from Pickering, Mathie has had spells in charge of Spenymoor and West Auckland. He also turned out for the Pikes as a player soon after leaving the Minstermen.

Pikes chairman Tony Dunning said the club had not yet decided whether to bring in a new boss or appoint a caretaker manager in time for this weekend's trip to Armthorpe Welfare.

But among the contenders for the post could be York-based Paul Marshall, who is available after being axed by struggling UniBond league outfit Bridlington Town last week.

"We haven't had the results, but we've had a lot of injuries," Dunning said. "We haven't been able to field the strongest of teams. It was completely Alex's decision (to resign). We wanted a dialogue about what was going to happen in the future so it was a bit of a surprise but there's no bad feeling. He just decided to resign."