GATESHEAD have dismissed manager Malcolm Crosby in the wake of Saturday’s embarrassing home defeat to Halifax Town.

Crosby, who led Sunderland to the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1992, was only appointed at the International Stadium in the summer.

However, along with assistant Gary Owers, he has paid a heavy price for the disastrous run of form that has seen the Heed win just one of their last nine matches.

They have slipped to 12th position in the National League, as well as suffering a shock FA Cup defeat to Worcester City, with Saturday’s dreadful display against Halifax proving to be the final straw.

Despite taking on a team who were ten points adrift of safety at kick-off, and who were without a manager following the midweek departure of Darren Kelly, Gateshead still slipped to a resounding 4-1 defeat. To make matters worse, Halifax were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Russell Griffiths was dismissed in the first half.

Gateshead chairman Richard Bennett is understood to have discussed Crosby’s position with his fellow board members in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat, and confirmation of the 61-year-old’s departure was released this afternoon.

A club statement said: “Following a run of poor performances and results, Gateshead have terminated the contracts of manager Malcolm Crosby and assistant manager Gary Owers.

“Chairman Richard Bennett wishes to thank both Malcolm and Gary for their time and effort at Gateshead, and wishes them both the very best for the future.”

Crosby was forced to endure a hostile crowd reaction as his side imploded on Saturday, with fans calling for his head in the latter stages of the game.

A first-half own goal from Martin Smith put Gateshead onto the back foot, but they were handed a lifeline when Griffiths was dismissed for fouling Ryan Bowman in the box.

Bowman dusted himself off to convert the penalty, but ten-man Halifax reclaimed their lead within a matter of minutes as Kingsley James drilled home from 20 yards.

Sean Tuton scored a third goal as the Gateshead defence disintegrated shortly before the interval, and the same player inflicted further misery as he rounded goalkeeper Sam Russell in the dying minutes.

“Of course I feel under pressure because it is not acceptable,” said Crosby, immediately after the game. “People who come and watch are not going to be happy about it, and I fully understand that.

“I know what football fans are like. They want to see you play well and win, and we were all over the place.”

Gateshead: Russell, Ramsden, Gibson (Shaw 63), Clark, Cranston (Buddle 50), Pattison, Smith, Honeyman, Phillips (Wrightson 55), Johnson, Bowman.