....SkyBetLeague Two's bottom club Morecambe and is expected to be unveiled as the new man in charge of ambitious Vanarama National League neighbours AFC Fylde.

Bentley, 43, has been Shrimps boss since May 2011, having previously spent 9 years with the club as a player.

It is understood the former centre-back will drop a division to join Fylde, who sacked Dave Challinor earlier this month.

A Morecambe statement said Bentley's resignation had been accepted "with great reluctance".

It continued: "Jim has stated his desire to take on a new challenge and it is only right that we honour his wish after the service he has given this club.

"He has been an amazing servant for us as player, captain and manager and has deservedly gained a fantastic reputation throughout the game for what he has achieved with the club.

"We cannot thank him enough for his contribution to the club over the years and it goes without saying he will always be welcome at the Globe Arena.

"Jim's name is synonymous with Morecambe and he has always had the very best interests of the club at heart, playing and managing with great pride, honour and integrity and he departs with the best wishes of everyone connected with the Shrimps."

Under his stewardship Morecambe never finished higher than 11th in the fourth tier, finishing 21st, 18th, 22nd and 18th in the past four seasons, on one of the division's smallest budgets.

Earlier this month, league rivals Barrow AFC rejected an approach from Fylde to talk to former Blackpool favourite Ian Evatt about their managerial position.