Survival is the main target for Swaffham Town’s new managerial duo

Action from Swaffham Town's 5-1 loss to Hadleigh United at Shoemakers Lane, Luke Reed stretching to reach the header. Picture: Eddie Deane (Image: Eddie Deane)

The pair have been in charge at Shoemakers Lane since Paul Hunt made the difficult decision to quit during his sixth season with the club, due to a new business venture needing more of his time.

Parkinson and Lumsden led the Pedlars to three wins and two draws in their eight games in temporary charge, to earn their appointment.

'Our aim is to stay in the division,' Swaffham chairman Mick Simmons said. 'If we can stay up then it would be a step in the right direction.

'At the moment our league position is probably slightly false because we have played more games than a lot of other teams. But we've managed to get points on the board and we're more than happy with the start we've made.'

A 5-1 home loss to Hadleigh United was not the ideal start for the duo, with Joe Jackson's goal giving the hosts the lead before a disastrous second half saw them concede five goals.

On Friday night the Pedlars travel to Gorleston (7.45pm kick-off), who are just a point below them in ninth in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division table.

Parkinson is an established player and coach at Swaffham, heading up the club's youth set-up, and Lumsden is a Norwich-born former goalkeeper who played in Scotland.

Simmons added: 'It was a difficult time when Paul left and we were a bit concerned about what was round the corner,' admitted Simmons. 'But Matt and Scott have done a very good job, especially in helping the younger players make the step up quickly.

'We've always looked to promote from within wherever possible. We've got a very good youth system at the club and Matt's and Scott's work within that will obviously help to integrate those younger players into the first team.'