PETER Nicholas was sensationally sacked by Newport County this morning after an emergency board meeting last night.

A run of games which has produced just one victory in the last five games has led to chairman Chris Blight and the County board terminating Nicholas' contract, due to run until the end of the season, after just eight games of the new campaign.

Blight confirmed the decision, and as the club prepare an official statement he said: "Newport County have released Peter Nicholas.

"It was decided by the board last night that we had to act sooner rather than later, and it is better to act now than to continue as we have until it is too late.

"We have a good team and want them to be taken in the right direction."

The news is sure to stun County supporters. Although they may not have been pleased with some of the performances this season, it was thought that Nicholas had at least another week to turn things round.

But Saturday's 3-0 humbling at Basingstoke was the final straw and it followed dismal defeats by Hayes and Sutton United. County have taken only ten points from eight games.

Victories over Weymouth and Bognor Regis were not enough to keep the 73-times capped Newport-born manager in a job.

Nicholas joined County before the start of last season after spells at Swansea as coach and manager at Barry Town.

He had a difficult beginning to his County career, failing to win any of the first ten Dr Marten Premier League games.

He made wholesale changes, but eventually managed to turn things and get Newport into the newly formed Nationwide South, finishing in a creditable seventh place given their bad start.

This season saw the release of a raft of last year's squad and the arrival of big name former Football League players like Jason Bowen, Scott Young and Jonathan Coates.

But the new-look side has made an inconsistent start to the season with three wins, four defeats and a draw.

Despite being better off than the same stage last year and in a tougher division, Newport County chairman Chris Blight is demanding a promotion challenge and openly criticised the management and players after the Sutton defeat at Spytty Park two weeks ago.

At that point the writing was on the wall for Nicholas and now County begin the search for a new manager.

Blight said: "There is no rush to appoint anyone because we want the right man to take us forward.

"I'm sure the name of Newport County and the history we have will attract a high calibre and large amount of applicants."