Tim Flowers replaces David Lee as Northampton Town caretaker

Flowers has managed non-league side Stafford Rangers

Northampton Town have replaced caretaker-manager David Lee with former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers.

Lee has left the club following Saturday's 7-2 thumping by Shrewsbury, a result chairman David Cardoza said he was "embarrassed and humiliated" by.

Flowers, 44, who is goalkeeper coach at Sixfields, will now take temporary charge of the Cobblers.

Cardoza will continue his search to replace Gary Johnson, who left the club by mutual consent last week.

"Before Saturday, I was going towards an up-and-coming manager," he told BBC Radio Northampton.

"But now I think we may need a little bit of experience.

"We part on good terms with David. David came here as part of Gary Johnson's staff and we wish him well for the future.

"Tim Flowers will take caretaker charge of the first team until further notice as our search for a new permanent manager continues."

Player-coach Andy Holt, who was assisting Lee, will remain at Sixfields following Northampton's heaviest home loss for 64 years.

Cardoza claimed it was "possible but unlikely" an appointment would be made before this weekend's trip to fellow League Two strugglers Plymouth.

"Maybe we can get the sort of combination that worked well in the past with Colin [Calderwood] and John [Deehan]," he added.

"Fortunately we're in November, not in March, so we have some time.

"I'm not going to panic after Saturday and just get the first person in. On the other hand there is a sense of urgency."

And Flowers told the club website he could not foresee any players being added to the squad ahead of Thursday's loan deadline.

"We've got a massive squad," he said. "It's plain to see we've got a lot of numbers.

"If push came to shove we could get players in. But the chances are probably not."