The man who was instrumental in bringing Kyle Lightbourne to Macclesfield Town has quit the hot seat.

Gil Prescott offered his resignation from the manager's job after Saturday's defeat at the hands of Kidderminster. It was accepted by the board on Monday.

Prescott signed Island striker Lightbourne in the summer, getting him to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Third Division club after he was released by Stoke City.

The international had a number of other clubs interested in him but chose to go to the Cheshire side in part because of the close-knit family atmosphere that Prescott had instilled and also because of his friendship with former Stoke player Kevin Keen, now plying his trade for the Silkmen.

However, results have been disappointing and Macclesfield find themselves in the lower reaches of the basement division.

Lightbourne, the club's highest paid player, was introduced in an effort to help fire the club to promotion but the goals have not come.

He has only found the back of the net once so far this season, although his overall play has been praised by Prescott, who will remain at the club as director of football.

Speaking after the decision he said: "I feel it is in the best interest of the club if I relinquish control of the first team, I have no complaints whatsoever, the board have been brilliant with me.

"I believe we have a good squad of players at the club and someone else may be able to bring a little something extra to help us compete in this division."

Chairman Eddie Furlong thanked Prescott for his service and `honesty' saying: "Gil is Macclesfield through and through and is as desperate as anyone to see this club go forward, we respect his honesty in making this request, which we know he has made in what he believes are the best interests of the club."

Player-coaches John Askey and Keen are already being mentioned in connection with the vacant job, with a decision on a stop-gap replacement expected in the next fortnight.

Others who may be under the microscope include former Aston Villa player Earl Barrett, ex-Liverpool star John Aldridge, former Nottingham Forest player Nigel Clough and former Altrincham boss Mark Ward.

Prescott was appointed last December, replacing Peter Davenport.

Lightbourne was unavailable for comment yesterday.