Cambridge sack McFarland

McFarland has paid the price for recent poor form

Struggling Cambridge United have sacked manager Roy McFarland.

The former England international has paid the price for a poor run of form, which has left them hovering above the Second Division relegation zone.

McFarland took over the club in November 1996 and steered them to promotion to Division Two in the 1998/1999 season.

But six defeats in seven games has brought his reign to a premature end.

A club statement read: "The board of directors would like to place on record their appreciation of Roy McFarland's contribution to the overall development of the club over the last four years and propose to honour the remainder of his contract."

Cambridge plan to have a new manager in place before Saturday's game against Oldham Athletic, with former U's boss John Beck a possible candidate.