Scunthorpe have sacked their management team ahead of Saturday’s visit to Priestfield.

Boss Russ Wilcox and former Gills assistant manager John Schofield, who was also no.2 at Scunthorpe, have paid the price for a slow start to the current campaign.

The Iron were promoted from League 2 last season after Wilcox led the team on a 28-match unbeaten run – the best start to a managerial career ever achieved in English football.

Schofield linked up with his friend Wilcox in the summer after his contract at the Gills expired.

Wilcox had spent a brief time as a scout for the Gills before quitting for Scunthorpe.

Former Lincoln boss Schofield was assistant manager under Martin Allen and played a key role in helping the Gills achieve promotion from League 2 the year before Scunthorpe did the same.

Schofield was also assistant to Peter Taylor, as he stayed on at the Gills despite the sacking of Allen.

Scunthorpe lost to Notts County in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night – their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

A Scunthorpe club statement said: “Scunthorpe United have today terminated the contracts of manager Russ Wilcox and assistant manager John Schofield with immediate effect.

“The club would like to place on record their thanks to Russ and John for their efforts, but in particular to Russ for leading the Iron into League One.”

Andy Dawson will take charge of the team this weekend, assisted by Tony Daws.