CHRIS Casper and Keith Alexander have been sacked on the eve of the Shakers' FA Cup third round replay with Norwich City.

The manager - who had been in place for two-and-a-half years - and director of football, who arrived at Gigg Lane in the summer, at lunchtime.

Bury are without a win in their last eight league games, and Casper admitted after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Darlington that he "feared for his job."

His concerns proved to be founded as the pair were called to the boardroom on Monday lunchtime and told they would both be leaving the club.

A club statement read: "The board of directors at Bury FC have today terminated the contracts of Chris Casper and Keith Alexander with immediate effect.

"This decision has come at a difficult time for the club but it was felt the decision had to be taken earlier, rather than later.

"Unfortunately, the management team of Chris and Keith has lost the confidence of a large majority of the fans, and the directors have taken this decision for the benfit of Bury FC.

"The board would like to thank Chris and Keith for their efforts in taking the club forward."

It is not yet known who will take charge of the side to face Norwich, though coach Chris Brass, youth team boss Mike Sheron and senior player Colin Woodthorpe are all qualified to take on the role.