Gillingham have named Martin Allen as new manager.

Allen has signed a two-year deal and succeeds Andy Hessenthaler, who agreed to step down at the end of last season.

The 46-year-old former West Ham United and QPR midfielder was most recently in charge of npower League Two rivals Barnet - a third spell at Underhill - preserving the Bees' Football League status on the final day of the campaign for the second year running.