MANAGER Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor have resigned from their posts at Mansfield, one of Swindon Town's challengers for promotion, the Sky Bet League Two club have announced.

Former Rotherham boss Evans, who was in the frame for the Swindon job last summer, took charge of the Stags in 2016 and led them to a 12th-place finish last term.

Mansfield, who currently sit fifth in the table, announced on Tuesday that they have "reluctantly accepted" the pair's resignations.

In a statement on the club's official website, chairman John Radford said: "Whilst I am disappointed by their decision, there are no individuals bigger than Mansfield Town Football Club and the process of appointing a new management team which can lead the club to League One is already under way.

"Mansfield Town Football Club has progressed year-upon-year in recent seasons both on and off the field.

"Our ambitions of promotion this season remain as fervent and steadfast as ever and we will leave no stone unturned in our process of appointing the right manager to lead our talented squad of players."

Academy boss John Dempster has been placed in temporary charge of the first team.