Frankie McAvoy has left Preston North end after Saturday’s defeat to Rovers.

The defeat leaves North End 18th in the table, with just six wins from 21 games, with the search for a new manager now under way.

McAvoy was handed the job on a temporary basis for the final eight games of last season after replacing Alex Neil, who he had previously been assistant to, before being handed the job on a full-time basis in the summer.

While North End finished last season strongly, winning their final four games, they have had an underwhelming start to this campaign which started with three successive losses.

The club statement said that results have ‘not met expectations’ and that the team have ‘struggled for consistency’.

The decision comes only two days after the defeat at Rovers where Ben Brereton scored a 53rd minute winner.

A club statement read: “Preston North End Football Club can confirm that Frankie McAvoy has left his position as head coach.

“Frankie stepped in earlier this year to assist us, initially in an interim role, before taking up the position of head coach.

“His first eight games at the end of last season were a huge success but this season we have struggled for consistency. Ultimately it is a results business and results to date have not met our expectations, we have therefore decided to make a change at this time.

“Frankie is an honest, hard-working person who deserves to succeed and he leaves us with our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future. He will always be welcome back at Deepdale at any time.

“The club will now look to appoint a new manager to take the club forward and a further update will be provided in due course.”