John Maggs is back in charge at Crawley Down Gatwick.

The vastly experienced Maggs agreed on a return to the Anvils last night, hours after they had sacked Francis Vines.

Vines was dismissed after a dismal run of results which culminated in a 10-0 drubbing at leaders Peacehaven in Ryman south on Wednesday.

Maggs, who left Crawley Down last summer and subsequently managed Hastings, will be at the helm for tomorrow’s crunch game away to fellow strugglers Redhill.

He said: “Brian Suckling (chairman) got in touch with me and asked if I can achieve ‘the impossible’ – that is to keep them up.

“I’m prepared to have a go and do everything I can to help the situation.

“Time is against us because of the signing deadline being Monday but I will do everything in my power to get enough players in to see if we can get four or five wins which might keep us up.”

Vines failed to win a match after being named as Anvils manager in December, losing 12 games and drawing two.

In that sequence, they conceded 67 goals and scored nine, going down 8-0 and 11-0 in the first two games after his appointment, twice throwing away two-goal leads to lose, being thumped 6-0 away to bottom-of-the-table Eastbourne Town and losing their last seven games.

Top of Ryman south in September, the Anvils are now second from bottom and in serious danger of relegation back to the County League.

Suckling said: “I spoke to Francis and told him we needed to move forward by bringing in someone who could get the players necessary to bolster the squad in this delicate position we are in.

“I believe the appointment of John will give us a chance of getting out of trouble.”

Crawley Down’s season went into freefall after Simon Wormull – the man who led them to the top of the table after taking over last summer – was forced to step down due to family reasons.

Steve Robinson took over as caretaker manager and brought in several new players who all left the club with Robinson when Vines was appointed just before Christmas.

Vines was left to build almost a complete new team, particularly as further players he inherited left the club, and the club plummeted down the table.

Maggs will hope to bring in a number of new signings.

One deal completed yesterday was the arrival former Crystal Palace and Bolton youngster Manny Akokhia, who was recently released by Eastbourne Borough.