Notts County have announced that they have sacked manager Shaun Derry.

The 37-year-old has lost his job with the Magpies following a run of nine defeats in 12 games, which leaves them 20th in League One and only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Derry, who began his playing career at Meadow Lane in 1995, joined Notts as manager in November 2013 and guided them to League One safety last season.

Notts were in contention for a playoff place at the beginning of the year, but the downturn in results has led to Derry's exit, along with assistant Greg Abbott.

"This is without doubt one of the hardest decisions that we have had to make as a board because we know how much this club means to Shaun and Greg and we know how much hard work they had both put in during their time here," Notts chief executive Aileen Trew told the club's official website.

"However, we have to make the decisions that we feel are in the best interests of the club and our perilous position in the table meant that we felt we needed to make a change.

"I have nothing but positive things to say about Shaun and Greg and the way that they conducted themselves during their time here at Notts County, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to them, but with a hope that this difficult decision will be the catalyst for a turn around in fortunes, starting this weekend at home to Scunthorpe United."

Derry's last match in charge was the 4-1 defeat at MK Dons on Saturday.