St Albans City chairman Nick Archer has confirmed that James Gray and Graham Golds resigned as joint-managers following the Saints 4-0 FA Trophy drubbing at Lowestoft Town on Saturday.

Gray and Golds succeeded David Howell three years ago this weekend and led the Saints to success in the Herts Charity Cup later that season.

The following season saw the duo lead the Saints to promotion from the Southern League to Conference South via a sensational play-off victory over Chesham United at The Meadow, and also progress through to the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup.

City reached the same stage of the FA Cup again this season but the Saints league form has been poor with the club firmly entrenched in the bottom two of the National League South.

St Albans have struggled for goals this season while, particularly in recent weeks, goals have been conceded goals at an alarming rate.

Speaking to the St Albans & Harpenden Review in the Lowestoft boardroom at Love Road following a third heavy defeat in eight days, Archer gave details of Gray and Golds departure from Clarence Park.

“I regret to tell you that James and Graham, our joint managers, have resigned tonight straight after the game. They feel that have gone as far as they can with this group of players. Too many defeats in the last few games.

“There will be a lot of work to try and turn this around, probably the two guys were just tired and jaded and probably can’t do it with this group of players.

“It’s a tougher league this season, we lost a couple of sides at the bottom that have been replaced by some fairly well-funded clubs in Margate, Maidstone and Dartford. It’s a slightly different prospect this season and we’ve been struggling from the start.”

Archer paid tribute to the success the club enjoyed under two former City players. “They had massive, outstanding achievements at St Albans City and I wish them all the very best, they are superb guys to work with. Football men, totally committed to the job even up until yesterday.”

Archer declined to answer whether the duo – had they not resigned - faced the push following the Lowestoft game, but did state that managers positions are always under review when results are not going well.

The City chairman finished by saying that he is convinced that Gray and Golds will go away, get refreshed and then get another position within football.

Gray and Golds were highly successful managers of St Albans City Youth prior to being appointed First team managers at Clarence Park in November 2012.

The duo won 57 and lost 48 of the 128 league matches for which they were in charge of the Saints. Saturday’s defeat at Lowestoft was their 12th reversal in 40 cup ties, of which 22 ended in victory.