Winless Stevenage have sacked boss Dino Maamria five days ahead of their clash with Carlisle United.

The Tunisian has paid the price for Boro's poor start to the League Two season and becomes the first managerial casualty of the new campaign.

The Lamex Stadium club have taken just three points from their first seven league games and sit second bottom.

Maamria's last game in charge was Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Cheltenham.

Coach Mark Sampson, the former England women's team boss, has been placed in caretaker charge, assisted by Alex Revell.

In a short statement on their website this morning Stevenage said they had "called an end" to Maamria's 18-month reign.

The manager had led them to a 10th-placed finish last season, two points and one place ahead of Steven Pressley's Carlisle.

The Cumbrians are currently 19th, four points ahead of Stevenage.