It's been an eventful ride but after 15 years of battling against all odds, Macclesfield Town finally lost their battle for survival.

The Silkmen will begin life back in non-league football in August, after their 24th place was confirmed with a 2-0 defeat at home to Burton Albion on Saturday. And the first question to be answered at the Moss Rose surrounds the now-vacant position of first team manager.

Temporary boss Brian Horton left by mutual consent on Monday, leaving assistant manager Glyn Chamberlain to take charge of the team for their final fixture at Southend United.

Chairman Mike Rance told the Express that a handful of potential replacements have already contacted him about taking over, with a full recruitment process to take place in the coming weeks.

Horton, who suggested in post-match interviews that he was ‘highly unlikely’ to remain at the helm next season, left after a meeting with the board of directors on Monday morning.

The veteran manager took over from Gary Simpson eight games ago with the sole aim of once again steering the Silkmen away from danger and admits that relegation ranks as one of the lowest points of his career.

Horton, who pulled off a dramatic rescue mission in his first spell in charge during the 2003/04 season, was unable to reverse their torrid fortunes and pointed to a dearth of confidence as the prime culprit.

"I’ve asked the lads what they think the difference is between the side now and the side that last won a game," he said. "And the biggest word that they all came out with is confidence. And you could see it almost drain away when we conceded that first goal.

"And that’s how it’s been since I’ve been back, whereas the last time I came in we won the first, second and third games and confidence built.

"The last time when we stayed up they talked me into staying. But they were still a league club then, now they’re a non-league club, so it’s a sad day for Macclesfield Town.

"I feel for the fans, they’ve vented their fury a little bit, especially when I took Ross Draper off but he’d run himself into the ground and he’s coming back from a long-term injury so I had to try to get fresh legs on."

It was a heartbreaking day for all concerned, and one that extended the club’s winless 2012, as a pocket of protesters tried to storm the directors’ box towards the end of the game, demanding the resignation of Mr Rance.

And Chamberlain, who now finds himself in charge for the final bow at Roots Hall, offered his support for Mr Rance.

"I have a huge amount of sympathy with the chairman," Simpson’s former number two said. "Nobody knows the work he does for this football club, as well as (vice chairman) Andy Scott, on a time-giving basis and on a money-giving basis, he’s been absolutely fantastic.

"They have both been so supportive of Gary and myself since I came to this football club two years ago. I know there’s always got to be a scapegoat but I thought the crowd were fantastic, they kept behind the lads throughout the game when they were obviously under pressure."

And midfielder Matty Hamshaw – devastated that Macc will spend at least next season in the Blue Square Bet Premier League – insisted that the blame lays firmly at the feet of those out on the pitch.

"I understand the fans have their criticisms but for me it has to be blamed on us as players," he admitted. "We’ve been trying our best out there, but it’s not just been about Saturday. Deep down everybody in the dressing room has to look at themselves and we’ve got to go away and look at what we need to work on.

"We don’t know what’s going to happen next, but this is a deeply disappointing day for Macclesfield Town."

In the wake of the club’s relegation a statement on the official website declared: "Macclesfield Town Football Club has been proud to represent its community in the Football League over the last 15 years. Throughout that time the club, on and off the field, has always strived to be the best it could be.

"Work will start immediately to put in place the elements required to give us the best chance of an early return to league football."