Brian Laws has stated that he is "exceptionally disappointed" after being sacked by Scunthorpe United.

The 52-year-old was dismissed on Wednesday after the club were knocked out of the FA Cup by local rivals Grimsby Town.

He returned to Scunthorpe for a third spell as manager in October 2012, but could not prevent the club from being relegated to League Two last season.

Laws said in a statement via the League Managers' Association: "I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving my post as Manager of Scunthorpe United Football Club.

"Together the club and I agreed upon a strategy based on a shared long term view to first halt the decline of the club's fortunes and avoid a successive relegation.

"To be relieved of my duties, after only 16 league games into the current campaign, when I was meeting my targets is, in my opinion, unwarranted. I am exceptionally disappointed that I will no longer have the opportunity to continue the rebuilding process at Scunthorpe United."

Tony Daws and Russ Wilcox will take temporary charge for Scunthorpe's match against Portsmouth on Saturday.