JIMMY NICHOLL has resigned as manager of Cowdenbeath following the club's relegation from the SPFL Championship.

The Northern Irishman apologised to everyone connected to the Blue Brazil following the 3-0 weekend defeat to Alloa that sealed their fate and has since decided to bring down the curtain on his second stint in charge at Central Park.

Chairman Donald Findlay announced Nicholl's departure in an official statement on Tuesday.

"It is with regret that I have today accepted the resignation of Jimmy Nicholl as manager of Cowdenbeath FC," said Findlay. "I thank Jimmy for all his efforts on behalf of the club.

"It had been a privilege working with him.

"We remain friends and I wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Nicholl, who was relegated from the old First Division during his first stay in season 2010-11, returned to Cowdenbeath in 2013 and led the club to a relegation play-off victory over their Fife rivals Dunfermline Athletic to retain their position in the Championship.

However, they lost 10 of their last 13 fixtures to slump to rock bottom in the table on the final day with Livingston winning their closing home game 1-0 against Queen of the South.

Nicholl, recently appointed as part-time assistant manager of Northern Ireland by national coach Michael O'Neill, could not hide his disappointment following the defeat at Alloa, which club officials have claimed will cost the club around £170,000.

Cowden boss Jimmy Nicholl said: "You only get out of the game what you put in to it and we have not scored enough goals and conceded too many.

"We did not win enough games to stay in this league. Staying in the Championship was a massive thing for us. I apologise to everyone involved with the club."