Former Carlisle United captain and Workington Reds boss Danny Grainger has been placed in caretaker charge of Falkirk.

The Cumbrian has stepped up into the interim role after the Scottish League One side sacked head coach Paul Sheerin.

Grainger, 35, has been assistant head coach at the club since June.

He will now lead the team while Falkirk seek a new boss.

Sheerin was axed after a humiliating 6-0 defeat at Queen's Park on Saturday.

Falkirk sit fifth in Scotland's third tier after six wins from 16 games, trailing leaders Cove Rangers by nine points.

He will now take charge of Falkirk for the first time when the Bairns host leaders Cove next Saturday.

A club statement said: "Falkirk Football Club has today parted company with head coach Paul Sheerin.

"We wish to thank Paul for his efforts and hard work during his time at the club and wish him well for the future.

"Assistant head coach Danny Grainger will take interim charge of first team duties while the club embarks on a search for a new head coach. A further update will be provided in the coming days."

Grainger, from Eamont Bridge near Penrith, spent much of his playing career in Scotland, with Gretna, Dundee United, St Johnstone - where he was Sheerin's team-mate - Hearts, St Mirren and Dunfermline before joining Carlisle in 2014.

He went on to make 197 appearances for the Blues, the majority as captain, scoring 34 goals before retiring at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

Grainger was then appointed Workington manager and had the Borough Park club well placed for promotion in successive seasons until Covid-19 curtailed the Northern Premier League North West.

The coach, who also runs the Cumbria Football Academy based in Penrith, left Reds after two seasons in charge in order to return to the professional game as Sheerin's No2 in the summer.

He was among the early bookies' favourites for the Carlisle vacancy after Chris Beech's sacking in October, before the Blues appointed Keith Millen.