FORMER Premier League defender Darren Williams has taken over as player-manager of struggling Whitby Town, but he began his tenure with a 3-1 Evo-Stik League premier division defeat at Hednesford Town.

The 34-year-old, who started his career at York City and went on to make 200 appearances for topflight club Sunderland, was appointed last Wednesday after Tommy Cassidy left the club by mutual consent following Whitby’s exit from the FA Trophy.

Williams, who also played for Hartlepool, Cardiff, Bradford and Dundee during his career, will have David Campbell as his playercoach, and the pair will be assisted by vastly experienced goalkeeping coach Dennis Wheeler, who has been at the club since 1996.

Hednesford, fourth in the table, took the lead after only five minutes through Ben Jevons, although Whitby were level three minutes later through Mark Robinson.

The game swung from end to end until the home side went in front after 76 minutes thanks to a Ben Bailey header. Four minutes later, substitute Mark Danks sealed the win, leaving Whitby second- bottom.

Whitby are away on Saturday to 18th-placed Mickleover Sports (3pm) in what could prove to be an important six-pointer at the bottom for Williams and Co.