Abbott aiming to make job his.

TOWN'S League I rivals Carlisle have made Greg Abbott their caretaker manager - with the chance for him to secure a permanent appointment.

The club yesterday parted company with John Ward following a run of 10 defeats and one draw in 11 matches which has resulted in them falling from second to 20th in the table.

A club statement read: "We thank John for his service over the past 13 months, but we agreed the time had come for us to go our separate ways.

"Greg Abbott has immediately been appointed caretaker. He was hugely disappointed not to get the manager's job here on a full-time basis last season, having been caretaker following Neil McDonald's departure up to John's arrival.

"That was despite having won five and drawing two of his 10 matches in charge."

Town, of course, are due to visit Carlisle on Boxing Day, with the Cumbrians not visiting the Galpharm until April.

Ward's last match in charge was Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Stockport which left them just one point above the relegation placings.

Carlisle are at home to Grays Athletic in the FA Cup first round this weekend.

Meanwhile, former Watford striker Luther Blissett believes the Hornets' current crop of players have to take responsibility for the departure of manager Adrian Boothroyd.

Ex-Town player Boothroyd left the Championship club yesterday after the 4-3 defeat at home to Blackpool on Saturday which left them in 21st place in the table.

The move came after a disastrous 12 months at Vicarage Road, with Boothroyd's side picking up just 12 wins in the last 50.

Blissett said: "The manager is the one that gets the chop, but the players out there on the pitch have to go out and perform."