They may have been rocked by the news that their manager was leaving the club, but Braintree Town have had at least one piece of good news this weekend.

Having thought that they would be playing in the Vanarama National League North next season, following relegation from the top flight last year, it is now looking likely that that may not be the case.

The club have received notification of the provisional step one to four club allocations for 2019-20 season from the FA and Braintree have been provisionally handed a berth in the south division rather than the north.

If that is ratified at the league's AGM on June 8 it would be good news for Braintree as the south - where they have won promotion from twice in the last decade - was the club's preferred option.

It would mean a lot less travelling to away games and would give Braintree the prospect of some mouthwatering derby games against the likes of local rivals Billericay Town and Chelmsford City.

Before Braintree can start celebrating, though, the FA have advised that any appeals as to the allocation to a league or division can be made within seven days, so they will have to wait for further confirmation.

Wherever the Iron head, though, it will be with a new manager at the helm after announcing that they had parted company with boss Danny Searle on Sunday.

The club have already started advertising the vacant post.