FORMER Chippenham defender Lee Burns has been installed as caretaker manager at Melksham after the shock exit of Nigel Tripp.

Tripp was disgusted with his team after certain players were laughing at the 10-0 defeat to premier division leaders Bideford on Saturday.

In a meeting on Wednesday chairman Mick Perrin offered the job to Burns, who wanted the role before Tripp's appointment two years ago.

Perrin said: "We have offered Lee the job on a temporary basis but if he likes it and does well I will not be advertising the position and he will become the permanent manager."

The chairman was surprised with Tripp's resignation but was grateful for his contribution to the club over the past two seasons.

"I would like to thank Nigel for his time here, he was superb in his first year. I can understand his decision, I am just disappointed he walked away after a 10-0 defeat," Perrin added.

Tripp was thinking about resigning earlier on in the season and says the result was the final straw.

He said: "I could not believe at half time when we were 7-0 down that the players found something to laugh about.

"I believe that no team should get beat 10-0 by opposition in the same league. I do not accept that and it made it easy for me to leave.

"I wish Lee all the best and hope the centre backs he picks do not let in ten goals in a game."

Tripp, who has played twice at the back this season, is hoping to return to football in the close future.

"I am going to take a break for a while, that will give me the chance to watch my son play football."