WARRINGTON Town are hopeful that they can start to move up the UniBond First Division table after the controversial exit of joint manager Nick Armitage.

The former Barnton boss joined Glenn Walker at the helm in January and the partnership helped to keep Town in the First Division with some good results during the second half of the campaign, but their working relationship deteriorated during pre-season.

The duo were at odds over the introduction of new players and, with the squad believed to have been split between those supporting Armitage and those supporting Walker, their joint roles became untenable.

Showdown talks between chairman Dave Hughes, director of football Derek Brownbill and the two joint bosses took place before the start of the season and a decision to end the partnership was taken after Town lost their first two games of the campaign.

That left the board to decide who would become the boss and on Thursday they opted for Walker, who had previously been in sole control since midway through the 2003/04 season.

Town, who travel to Yorkshire Amateur in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, won 2-1 at home to Belper on Saturday in the first game since Armitage's exit but lost 3-1 at Gresley on Monday, leaving them fourth from bottom after four games.

But Walker said: "We're a happier club now. The last two games have been a lot better and there is a better spirit in the camp."