Wisbech Town have unveiled their new management team – and it comes from within the ranks.

Defenders Paul Cousins and Scott Johnson, who have been acting in a caretaker role since the departure of Steve Appleby, will take over this morning.

'We have opted for them because of their loyalty, and for continuity in the smooth running of the team,' said a statement from the Fenmen's board of directors.

The pair take over a side sitting in sixth place in the United Counties League Premier Division, where Wisbech decamped following their runners-up spot in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division last season – it was that decision to move leagues, rather than take promotion, which prompted Appleby's departure three weeks ago.

Cousins joined from March Town in March 2007 and has had stints at Dereham, King's Lynn and Wroxham before returning to the Fenmen in January 2012 while Johnson returned to Wisbech a couple of seasons ago after six years at Soham Town Rangers.

They take charge of a team whose three-game unbeaten run ended when they lost 3-1 at home to Yaxley on Saturday. Wisbech fell two goals behind but pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Charlie Butt, on loan from King's Lynn, switched the ball from left to right foot before shooting low into the net.

But the visitors wrapped it up right at the death when former Wisbech player Scott Carter scored Yaxley's third with a header from a corner.