Hollands & Blair’s weekend defeat has promoted the club to hasten their search for a new manager.

Blair lost 5-2 at Bearsted in the Southern Counties East Premier Division with chairman Paul Piggott in temporary charge and he admits the uncertainty isn’t helping.

Piggott said: “The one thing that Saturday did prove was that people in football don’t like uncertainty, especially players.

“The performance and the attitude was a bit flat.

“I don't want to make excuses for players, but they don't like it, they don't like uncertainty and I think that showed and that has prompted us to move quicker than we wanted to.”

Blair were down to 15 players for the weekend fixture, drafting in reserve and under-23 players, while handing a debut to Eri Akintimehin, who had a hand in both of their goals.

Charlie Weston netted after the Bears had already scored three and Harvey Welford scored a stoppage-time consolation.

Defeat left Blair sitting fourth from bottom in the SCEFL Premier Division with 11 games played.

They host Holmesdale this Saturday in the Kent Senior Trophy first round - the last chance they have to make a mark in a cup competition this season - before welcoming Corinthian to Star Meadow on Tuesday night.

The club’s board was due to meet earlier this week to put together a shortlist and there was a possibility of having a new manager in charge before the weekend, but more likely next week.

Piggott said: “We’ll chat to a few people and then hopefully make a decision if the right person says the right things.

“Worst case scenario, I'll take the team for one or two of those games.

“Saturday was just flat. We could tell from the outset that we didn't have the same buzz as we had the week before.

“There wasn’t the same spring in the step and you only have to be five per cent down on your effort and focus and you'll get beat.

“We got punished quite early from a couple of mistakes and there was no looking back from there really.

“We huffed and puffed a bit, but not enough to win the game, nowhere near it.”

Newcomer Akintimehin - who started the season at Phoenix Sports - had been signed by former boss Luke Jessup, just before he departed, but wasn’t aware of the change of management. He attended training and had a positive impact in the game.

“He looked alright,” said interim boss Piggott. “We started him and he did well for us.

“He's a player that wants the ball and makes things happen.

“We probably didn't get him the ball enough to see the best of him but we saw enough in the 90 minutes that he's got something to give the team.”

Looking ahead to this weekend, Piggott said: “Cup competitions are something that you want to keep in, which goes without saying. It keeps the season going longer. It brings hope for supporters and committees. That hope of getting to a final is great.

“It's the last one and bearing in mind where we are in the table at the moment, it will help to keep our season alive. It's not dead yet. We're not saying it's dead but it just gives you a little bit more hope to build on for the rest of the season.”