The former Pollok strike duo only took their first steps into football management at the start of December but already the demands of trying to juggle work, family commitments and running a Junior team have taken their toll on 'The Bull'.
His exit places a huge burden on Downs, whose job as a Firefighter involves working shifts, with fears already beginning to appear that he, too, may walk away from the Lanarkshire side.
But today the 33-year-old blasted back at rumours by insisting he is committed to the relegation-threatened Central First Division outfit.
Downs said: "It's extremely disappointing to have my partnership with Davie broken up at such an early juncture, but I fully understand the reasons behind his tough decision.
"Managing a team is a full-on job and there's a lot more to it than just turning up at training sessions and on a Saturday.
"I'm not kidding myself that I can do it all myself when I'm still learning my trade.
"That's why I'm delighted that Harry Erwin has agreed to come on board as my No.2 while our goalkeeping coach Phil Bannister will also form a crucial part of a new backroom team.
"I didn't need to be sold on Harry after working under him for so long at Pollok. He was integral to many successes and hopefully his great experience can help Bellshill.
"My old Pollok gaffer Rab Sneddon, a Bellshill legend, has offered to help out."
Ahead of tomorrow's must-win Fullarton Park contest against league-bottom markers, East Kilbride Thistle, Downs confessed to a mixed bag on the recruitment front .
He added: "Mikey Morris has come in on a loan deal from Clydebank and a major plus is David Dimilta has returned from Arbroath.
"I had also looked to beef us up defensively by bringing on board Peter McMahon who was recently released by Pollok, but unfortunately he opted instead to sign for Lanark United."
Turning to tomorrow's tie, he said: "East Kilbride will be no pushovers as they have improved and recently beaten Benburb in a cup-tie.
"So we will need to pull out all the stops to avoid becoming their first league scalp."
Another Southside club have been hit with a goalkeeping migration after St Anthony's revealed Matty Carr is heading Down Under to ply his trade.
The second-in-the-table Ants head across the city to face Shettleston and gaffer James McKenna confirmed his loan shotstopper Jon Connolly from Thorniewood United will start the match.
He said: "Jon's availability and Thorniewood's willingness to help us out has been great."
In other First Division ties, top side Greenock will not find it easy to maintain their five-point advantage atop the pile when heading through to face Dunipace.
Something has to give in the derby clash of near neighbours Lanark and Carluke Rovers, while another Lanarkshire promotion-contender, Larkhall Thistle, will look to goalscoring sensation Graham Gracie for the strikes to earn three points away to Port Glasgow.
Meanwhile, SJFA secretary Tom Johnston is sure to be the toast of Emirates Airlines after putting the spotlight firmly on their sponsorship of the Scottish Junior Cup by coercing no less a footballing figurehead than new Scotland team boss Gordon Strachan to make the draw for the semi-finals of this season's competition.
The draw will take place at the Scottish team's Mar Hall training base in Bishopton this coming Sunday, time to be confirmed.
