REST has been ordered for Kendal Town manager Tony Hesketh who collapsed and was rushed to hospital in Preston as he was about to set out for Town's pre-season friendly with Morecambe on Thursday night.

Doctors ruled out a suspected heart attack, but tests revealed an inner-ear infection, which badly affects balance.

Now doctors have told him to rest and he is likely to miss Town's opening match in the UniBond League First Division, a home clash with old rivals Stocksbridge Park Steels on August 21.

Meanwhile assistant manger Barrie Stimpson, who was also Hesketh's number two at Lancaster City, and Hesketh's predecessor at Kendal, Peter Smith, have been put in charge of day to day running of the squad in the crucial final pre-season preparations.

Last Thursday Hesketh missed what was probably his side's best pre-season performance when they matched, and should have beaten, a strong Morecambe side.

Town twice led the Conference League side in a game played in torrential rain through goals of high quality, but two giveaway goals robbed them of claiming a prestigious scalp.

New look Town took the game to Morecambe from the outset and in the 19th minute a superbly flighted free-kick by Lee Ashcroft found Dene Whittal-Williams soaring above the defence to head firmly into the net from eight yard.

The lead lasted just 30 seconds when keeper Lee Ward allowed an innocuous looking ball to roll past him towards the goal line. Instead it was slowed by the sodden grass, hit the outside of the post and stopped dead for the rapidly following up Lee Dodson to tap it in.

On the half-hour Ricky Mercer headed on to the Morecambe bar and, in the 40th minute as Town continued to dominate play Kenny Myers received the ball 20 yards out with his back to goal, turned and fired a peach of a shot just under the bar.

Ten minutes after the interval it was all square when Kendalian Gary Thompson, a long-time Morecambe star, went on a solo raid finishing with a rising shot which Ward could only palm into the top corner of the net.

In the awful conditions 2-2 would have been a reasonable result, but in the 65th minute Morecambe punted a long ball back to Town after a stoppage for an injury.

Although forwards were closing in, Ward could have allowed the ball to go dead for a goal-kick. Instead he opted for a suicidal pass out across the face of his own goal.

With defenders out of position it fell to the feet of Terry McFlynn who could hardly have missed the open goal yawning before him.

The mistakes were disappointing, for the tall keeper had made several good saves from close range and shown command in the air in dealing with Morecambe crosses.

Despite the result there was much to indicate that Tony Hesketh's squad can do well in the UniBond First Division.

Of the new boys, Ashcroft appears to be a classy playmaker; Myers a strong and skilful striker and Lee Clitheroe fast enough to outdistance most other players in the league.

The game also saw the introduction of former Lancaster City player Paul McMenemy, a tough left back who will certainly upset many opponents.

Winger Chris Bennett, who featured in Town's late revival of form at the end of last season also showed tenacity and willingness to take on any opponent.

On Tuesday night, Town fielded a depleted side at Penrith and the match ended with a disappointing 4-4 scoreline.

With Ashcroft and Myers absent it was left to Dene Whittall-Williams to again demonstrate that he is as valuable in attack as defence by grabbing a hat-trick, while Bennett salvaged Kendal pride with a late penalty.

Tomorrow Town travel to Bamber Bridge for their final pre-season match, but with Hesketh's illness Town are left in a difficult position as, with a week to go to the start of the season, the manager has not yet named his squad for the league campaign.