Basildon manager Paul Larke says he expected to be sacked following last night’s FA Vase replay at Wootton Blue Cross, whatever the result.

The 43-year-old says he has been inundated with messages and phone calls this week from players, managers and officials from the local non-league scene telling him they had heard he will be fired after the match.

He says he understands he will be replaced by John Higley, who he has previously been assistant manager to at Basildon United and London APSA.

Larke said: “The bottom line is that win, lose or draw it looks like I’m out of a job. Basically, I’m a dead man walking.

“I think the only reason I was not sacked on Saturday was because we drew, and the club would not have been able to field a side for the replay, and that would have resulted in a big fine.”

A source at the club said failure to fulfil the fixture would have resulted in fines totalling £385.

The source added that despite the rumours, no replacement had yet been signed up, so they would face a tough task putting together a new team for their Saturday league fixture at Barkingside.

Larke said the situation has come about after his assistant Damian Keane had a “blazing row” with director David Cusak.

Larke said that resulted in eight players pulling out of his squad for Saturday in support of Keane, and coach Leon Woodford, who has also quit.

If Larke is sacked it will bring to an end his short and tumultuous spell in charge of the Bees.

He became the club’s sixth manager in five years when he was appointed in June, taking over from John Doyle, who stood down due to work and family commitments.

His future looked in doubt in July when the club released a damning statement which said they were “disappointed” he had broken promises he made when he was given the job.

Since his appointment he has lost four league games, had one draw, and one win - a derby against Bowers & Pitsea.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by London APSA late last month.