PIP Boyland admits he has a big decision to make before choosing whether to go for the vacant manager’s post at Brightlingsea Regent.

The defender took charge for Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Enfield Town – the R's first match since Tom Rothery stepped down on Saturday night.

Boyland is expected to take the reins again when Regent head to high-flying Folkestone Invicta on Saturday.

However, he says he needs to think long and hard before deciding whether to throw his hat into the ring for the position full-time.

When asked whether he was interested, he said: “The honest answer is that I don’t know.

“I’ve got a decision to make and things to think about. It’s not something I can rush.

“It’s a great opportunity and a great football club.

“I might never get another chance to manage at this level. This might be it.

“Equally, I’ve just come back from a long-term injury and my entire focus has been on playing.

“I still want to play and it’s very difficult to play and manage – let alone at a step three club.

“I might regret it if I went down the management road and then, in, say, three years, wished I’d carried on playing.

“So it’s a really tough one for me and obviously it’s the club’s decision as much as mine, because it depends which direction they want to go.

“I think there will be a lot of interest in the job.

“This level of football will appeal to a lot of people because not everyone gets the opportunity to work at step three.

“The club are highly regarded and there are some great people involved.

“It deserves to do well."

Boyland admitted it felt odd taking the team in midweek, in Rothery’s absence.

The latter stepped down in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Lewes.

“It’s been a difficult few days and I was gutted when Tom left,” said Boyland.

“We were close and had built up a good relationship.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him, but I understand why he felt he had to go.

“I totally respect his decision and wish him all the best in whatever he does next.

“I know he’ll do well because he’s got that enthusiasm and knowledge.

“It’s infectious and rubs off on other people.

“It felt a bit strange taking the team on Tuesday.

“But that’s football and you just get on with it. I was happy to take on the extra responsibility.”

After a goalless first half, Regent were looking to give themselves a fillip with a timely and much-needed victory against Enfield.

However, it was the visitors who grabbed two second-half goals to return home with maximum points.

Ryan Blackman got the first, five minutes after the break, and Lewis Taaffe added the second on 75.

After their fourth straight defeat, Brightlingsea are now 19th in the table – one place and two points above the relegation zone - heading into this weekend's tricky trip to fourth-placed Folkestone.

“It was a case of fine margins and that’s been the story of our season,” said Boyland.

“We do so much so well and in the first half, we played some really nice football; things we’ve been working on in training.

“The second half was much the same but at this level of football, concentration levels have to stay high.

“As soon as you switch off, you get punished.

“Aside from that, we did everything right.

“We played some nice football in the right areas, which is what we’re trying to promote.

“But you can’t afford to let your focus slip and that’s what happened here.”