Shrewsbury have parted company with Gary Peters by mutual consent as he believes the "negativity" surrounding him was "getting to the players".

The former Preston boss - who had been in charge since November 2004 - leaves with the Shrews in 16th place in League Two, despite having been the beaten play-off finalists last season. They are without a win in seven games and were beaten 4-1 at Barnet on Saturday.

Peters said: "The negativity towards me at the moment might be affecting the team and whatever we can do for us to get results we need to do. If that is by me leaving the club then that is what needs to be as I don't want that negativity to get to the players.

"The results that we've had over the last 12 games haven't been good enough and I wouldn't have been surprised if I had been sacked. That hasn't been the case and it has been a mutual agreement between the chairman and myself that I have decided to leave Shrewsbury Town."

Chairman Roland Wycherley added: "It was a very difficult decision bearing in mind the way Gary has taken the club forward, particularly the trip to Wembley last year, and the year on year progress that we have made. It is with much reluctance that we've agreed that Gary will leave, we believe that we are acting in the best interests of the club."

Peters' assistant John McMahon has been placed in temporary charge of the club.