Lee Clark resigned as Hartlepool United head coach with immediate effect following their home defeat by Worthing.

The 3-1 loss was a third defeat in a row and a sixth in seven matches, pushing Pools down to 18th before the afternoon kick-offs in the National League.

Clark took over at Victoria Park in the summer after a short spell with Rotherham United at the end of last season, but fans called for his head during Saturday’s game as Hartlepool’s slump continued.

“I resign from my position with immediate effect,” Clark, a former Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham player, told BBC Radio Tees.

“I wanted to give this club and the fans something to be proud of, what they deserve, but I haven’t been able to do that unfortunately.”

The former Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City boss added: “I was excited to take the job and I wanted to be the man to get them back to where they need to be and deserve to be, but it hasn’t worked out.”

Pools were taken over in January by American businessman Landon Smith as the County Durham club aim to end their four-year stay in the National League.

But the search now begins for their ninth permanent manager or head coach in this period outside the English Football League.