London Scottish officials have admitted failure to win promotion this season hastened the resignation of their head coach.

Terry O'Connor quit after the 34-5 defeat to Barking ended any hopes the Exiles had of securing promotion to National League Division Two.

The news comes after O'Connor hinted earlier in the season that this campaign, his fourth at the club, could be his last.

Assistants Chris Wright and Jim Kelly, along with experienced centre Rory Greenslade-Jones, took charge for last Saturday's 35-18 home defeat to Mounts Bay, who all but secured the title as a result.

The trio wil be in charge until the end of the season, by which time Scottish hope to appoint a full-time head coach.

And club spokesman Paul McFarland believes the timing was right for O'Connor step aside.

"He wasn't going to do this season but we persuaded him to stay, however, he wasn't interested in becoming a full-time coach next year," he said.

"When it became apparent we weren't going to get promoted, it made sense for him to step aside so we can start the process of looking for a replacement now.

"His departure has nothing to do with recent results. Failure to get promotion is not down to one man - it is a collective failure of the management team and players."

Former Rosslyn Park coach O'Connor masterminded the club's return to National League rugby, but did not want to outstay his welcome.

"I always said that, after three seasons coaching at any club, your currency starts to fade," he added.

"This season was always going to be my last. It has been an honour and a blast."

Matt Fitzgerald, Alex Alesbrook and Greenslade-Jones scored tries for Scottish as Mounts Bay overturned a 13-7 lead on Saturday.

Prop Colm Hannon will be unavailable until March 19 having been handed a four week ban for hitting a Clifton player on January 19.