Hampton & Richmond boss and West Ham legend Alan Devonshire jokingly ruled himself out of the Upton Park hotseat before the appointment of former Hammers team-mate Alan Curbishley.

FA Cup winner Devonshire, who made 345 appearances in 14 seasons for West Ham, admitted he would love to chance to manage the Hammers.

He joked: "It would be great to manage West Ham but I think I'm a bit past it now.

"Alan is definitely the man for the job, I know him and played with him at West Ham, his record at Charlton was first class and he will do a great job."

If Hampton continue to perform the way they are at the moment, the idea of Devonshire taking the reigns at the Boleyn Ground would not seem so silly after they notched their fourth league win in a row against Harrow Borough on Saturday.

Goals from Ian Hodges and Elliott Godfrey secured a 2-1 win to put the Beavers six points from the top spot - but the manager says he was more happy with the result than the performance.

Devonshire said: "The players didn't play as well as they know they can, but we are delighted with three points.

"We just want to keep our run going. We have got a hard Christmas coming up and we have to make sure we are well prepared for those games."

Ian Hodges could have had a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes, heading over from close range and drawing a point-blank save from keeper Kieron Jimmy.

In between, Hodges gave Hampton a 12th minute lead, heading in from Godfrey's cross.

Hampton keeper Matt Lovett made a great save at his near post, while Matt Elverson and Godfrey missed chances to extend the visitors' lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Harrow drew level from the penalty spot. The Beavers went back on the attack and Dean Wells' free-kick was diverted onto the bar before Jimmy denied substitute Lawrence Yaku.

The winner came when Godfrey latched on to Harrow defender Gary Meakin's misplaced headed and slotted the ball past Jimmy.

Yaku hit the bar late on as the Beavers hung on to stay in eighth place.

Hampton & Richmond: Lovett; Harper, Ulasi (Gardner 64), Elverson, Paris, Wells, Inns, Godfrey (Henry-Hayden 71), Hodges (Yaku 38), Fernandes, Matthews. Attendance: 156.

Middlesex Senior Cup holders Hampton & Richmond went out of the competition in the second round on Tuesday when they lost 3-0 at home to fellow Ryman Premier side Harrow Borough.

Alan Devonshire's decision to rest six players from Saturday's win at Harrow played a part in the defeat, with Lovett, Godfrey, Matt Elverson and the injured Hodge among those left out.

Despite the changes, Hampton had sufficient chances to have won the game in the first half, but Yaku failed to take three of them, and Glen Harris had a shot tipped over by Craig Nicholson.

Harrow counter-attacked well to score through a James Bent header in the 54th minute, and other goals came from Albert Adomah and Leon Morris in the 82nd and 87th minutes.

Hampton: Nash; Harper (Elverson 74), Fernandes, Bartley, Paris, Wells, Gardner, Asombang (Henry-Hayden 74), Yaku (Godfrey 56), Harris, Matthews.

Hodges was forced off with a hamstring strain on Saturday and, depending on the extent of the injury, Devonshire says he may bring in a replacement for the striker.

Hampton go to Hodges and Glen Harris's former club Slough Town on Saturday. Slough, who are third-bottom, are desperate for points and Devonshire has warned his men not to take them lightly.

"Saturday was a very difficult game and this weekend will be no different," added Devonshire.