Jim Smith has stepped down as Oxford United manager.

The 67-year-old U's boss, who has been in charge since March 2006, has moved aside following the team's poor run of results, which have seen them slip to 11th in the Blue Square Premier after failing to win promotion last season. He will remain a director at Oxford United helping with overall strategy.

Darren Patterson, the 38-year-old former Northern Ireland international, has been appointed Oxford United's new manager and will take charge of the team in tomorrow's FA Cup first round tie at home to Northwich Victoria.

Patterson had been Smith's No 2 this season after promotion from youth-team coach in March.

He was briefly manager 20 months ago for just three matches but had to move aside following the club's takeover by Nick Merry and Jim Smith, who arrived as a package, with Smith immediately taking charge on the field.

Patterson's main target will be to try to get the team back winning again to try to reach the play-offs. But after a run in which they have taken just 16 points from the last 45 available, that will take some doing. The U's are already nine points adrift of the play-off positions.

The announcement of the managerial changes was made at a press conference at Oxford United's stadium today following Smith's return from a brief break away.

Fans have been increasingly calling for Smith to go, and last week's 5-0 defeat at Rushden appears to have been the final straw.