MELKSHAM Town have appointed Lee Burns as manager to replace Nigel Tripp, who resigned following Saturday's 10-0 home humiliation to Bideford.

The 38-year-old defender will be assisted by Melksham stalwart Jason Lunt as he bids to keep the team out of the Screwfix Direct League Premier Division relegation zone.

The pair's first match in charge will be the trip to Brislington on Tuesday night and Burns is relishing the opportunity he has been given.

Tripp quit immediately after Saturday's record loss, along with his brother and assistant manager Pete, citing the result as the last straw. But he hopes to continue playing for another two years.

Although not initially keen to take the job, Burns said: "I've enjoyed playing up there this season. I think Nigel did a good job and got me in to add a bit of experience.

"I've managed before at Bath City Reserves and I'm looking forward to this challenge. Managing Bath City Reserves was quite a nice start for me.

"We had quite a young side there and we had to deal with players coming back from injury. This is something which I thought was a natural progression.

"Jason is Melksham through and through and having been here only a few months there's a lot of people I don't really know. It's nice to have him here to help."

Burns will still continue as a player, but admits it may be sooner rather than later before he is confined to the touchline.

He will be in charge at the Conigre until the end of the season, when he will consider the longer term picture.

He said: "Our main priority is just to stave off relegation and keep the club up.

"We'll see what happens then. I'm planning to get married in August so my intention is to hang my boots up at the end of the season.

"The average age before I came along was about 19 or 20. I still enjoy it and I don't think I've let anyone down."

The Brislington game is an appropriate way for Burns to start, as their director of football Alan Pridham gave him his first managerial break at Bath City.

Tripp, 40, looked a forlorn figure at the Conigre on Saturday, but refused to elaborate on his reasons for resigning.

He said: "I don't really want to comment at the moment, I've had enough really. That score made my mind up.

"My time at Melksham been a struggle. It's been up and down.

"There are some good lads there like at any club, but at the moment I'm not too disappointed to be out of it. Saturday was embarrassing really.

"To be honest there's been a lot of bad press during my time at Melksham and I don't want to say much more.

"I've got plenty going on in my life. I don't need football, but I do still enjoy it.

"Maybe I'll try and find a club to play at for the rest of the season. I think I've got two more years in me."

Melksham chairman Mick Perrin said he plumped for Burns' and Lunt's experience.

He said: "After what happened on Saturday I took Sunday off to clear my thoughts a bit.

"I've always respected Lee, but when he played for Chippenham I used to hate him really.

"I interviewed him 18 months ago when Nigel got the job. He came across very well then and it was a close thing at the time.

"Nigel has been a great servant for Melksham. He put everything he could into it.

"I've rung him and I'm hoping that he's going to meet up with me for a drink so I can thank him for his services. I was a bit disappointed he ended it on Saturday. He was upset, but I felt it was too quick a decision.

"When something like that happens sometimes you've got to grin and bear it because it's not just the manager who suffers."