IT looks as though Pete Moore will be persuaded to stay on as Christchurch manager- even though he cannot give the job his normal level of commitment for the time being.

Moore, pictured above, was seriously contemplating standing down after Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup exit at home to Clevedon Town because of work and domestic problems, but the New Forest club have made it clear that they don't want him to go.

The former Poole Town, Brockenhurst and Bashley boss was due to have talks with Priory chairman Majid Azzeddin last night and said: "I've spoken to the people I needed to speak to regarding how I feel and they've backed me 100 per cent and told me to carry on and not let our results this season interfere with my decision."

After a strong finish to 2003/4, Christchurch have had a torrid start to the new campaign, picking up just one from a possible 15 points in the Sydenhams Wessex League and crashing out of the Cup to a mediocre Clevedon side, who had goalkeeper Scott Corderoy sent off after 41 minutes.

Moore - approaching his first anniversary as Priory boss - admits he is struggling to motivate his under-performing players and that a lot of team confidence has been sapped, but he is prepared to carry on if the club have faith in him.

He said: "I like to give 200 per cent to a job and part of the problem is me feeling that I can't give that at the moment because I've got things going on work-wise and domestically. When I do something, I like to give it my all and when I can't do that I feel it rubs off on the players and that's why I said that perhaps I should stand down.

"But having spoken to Stuart Underwood, my assistant, and one or two other people, they think I need to carry on and get support in from elsewhere.

"The chairman's given me no reason to think he's not happy with what I'm doing and, although we haven't had the best of starts, we're only talking five league games. No one's pressing the panic button yet.

"The club understand that things will be put right soon, but I don't like letting people down."