Max Mitchell has not yet decided to whether to put his hat in the ring for the Potters Bar Town manager position - but he is happy to help in an interim role for the time being.

The former Welwyn Garden City boss stepped up from his assistant role following the resignation of Lee Protheroe on Sunday and was in charge when the Scholars lost 1-0 at home to Margate on Tuesday.

And with talks over a potential successor still confined to the boardroom, Mitchell is just looking to steady the ship at the Lantern Stadium.

"It's something that I have to look at," he said. "I said to the club that out of courtesy to them, I'd fill in for the interim. I'll do a few games and see what happens over the next seven days. 

"I don't want to speak about anything too much, I just want to try and rejuvenate a playing group that are a little bit in limbo at the minute. 

"Hopefully I can bring a little bit of stability over the next seven days and I'll assess it after Saturday and make a decision from there.

"We'll have a chat [with the players on Thursday at training] and we'll be transparent. I feel that is really key at the moment from both a club perspective but also from a manager's perspective. 

"We'll sit down and look at training and try and prepare as well as we can for a really tough game against Cray."

And while he feels the club need to start building for the future now, he was quick to point out that whoever the new manager is, and whoever the players are, there is still football to play, not least of which is the Isthmian League Velocity Cup final against Aveley.

The caretaker boss said: "The fact of the matter is, we are where we are in terms of the league table, and I think what happens next, with whoever is next, is we need to build for next season. 

"But the great thing [for this season] is there's still a cup final against Aveley to come, there is still football to play for. 

"Everybody wants to get their hands on some silverware and that’s very difficult at any point in your career. 

"So you have to enjoy those moments and take the opportunities when they come."

Should he decide that he wants to make the step to the big chair, the performance against Margate will stand him in good stead.

The visitors scored after 25 minutes but for the final hour plus stoppage time, the majority of possession and chances was with the home side.

"We can take encouragement from that," said Mitchell. "I thought the players were excellent as has been the way they’ve carried themselves over the last few days.  

"The last 48 hours have been tough for the club and for the playing group and that's who I feel for at the moment, the players. They needed a bit of a lift. 

"It's always difficult when a transition of manager happens but I can't fault the performance or the work rate or the character. 

"It has been a really adverse time for everybody involved so I’m really happy with the performance. 

"It's always good to win football games, but essentially it was about the performance and getting something to build on."

And they had a glorious chance to grab a point with the very last kick of the game, only to see a shot from Adam Martin pushed over the top by a superb stop from Daniel Jinadu.

That again though highlighted a positive.

Mitchell said: "That's my centre-half in the box in the 95th minute, wanting to get on the end of something, and that shows how much desire and character is in this group.  

"On another night we probably take a point but I thought we were dominant in possession. 

"We changed the shape to a 4-4-2 diamond in the second half because we wanted to put a bit more pressure on them. 

"And the boys were available to take that information on which is a really pleasing sign because realistically, that's a team thrown together. 

"I've had to rely on a few favours and players that have come in have been exceptional. 

"The youngsters involved, Ike Olaiya and Sam Bajaha, I thought they did exceptionally well. 

"So it's a disappointing result but a good performance and hopefully something to build on."