Bunce proud to lead out Boston United... but does he want the job full time?

The former Pilgrims keeper picked up a point in his first game in the hotseat, Nat Brown snatching an 86th-minute leveller in a 3-3 National League North draw at Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday.

Boston-born Bunce agreed to take temporary charge of the club following the departure of Dennis Greene last week.

And he admitted to pangs of pride as he led the Pilgrims out at Bower Fold.

“I think anybody who is involved in football knows that,” Bunce said when asked how he felt to lead out his home-town club. “I’m definitely proud to be connected with the club, even as assistant manager.

“But to lead the team has been a great moment.”

However, when questioned about whether he would be eager to take on the role full time, Bunce said he wanted to get last night’s FA Trophy clash at Witton Albion out of the way before taking time to plan his next move.

He said: “I wish I had a pound for every time someone’s asked me that.

“This week’s been all up and down and it’s been difficult for everybody.

“What I will do is sit down and have a think about it.”

Friday is the closing date for managers to show their interest in the position.

Club chairman David Newton told The Standard he intends to look through the CVs before putting together a shortlist for interview, a method he favours when hiring new managers.

It is believed that ex-Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray and Martin Drury, a former Bradford Park Avenue manager and one-time member of Greene’s Pilgrims staff, are among the interested parties.

Reflecting on Saturday’s draw at Stalybridge, in which Taylor Miles and Gregg Smith also found the net, Bunce praised the squad’s character after twice fighting back from behind.

He continued: “There are certain things we need to address, but I’m happy with the attitude and response of the boys, definitely.

“We’ve asked for that desire to be shown and I think they’ve done that.

“Our defensive duties we can work on, or whoever comes in and wants to work with that, they can work with that, which is good.

“I needed to know what we’ve got is that desire, and they’ve shown that - so that’s the plus.”