Paul Buckle has today been relieved of his duties with Bristol Rovers Football Club.

Following a discussion between the directors following the Barnet game it was decided that Paul would no longer be in charge of first team affairs.

The club hope to make an announcement regarding Paul's successor as soon as possible, and discussions will now take place with interested parties.

Shaun North will take temporary charge while Rovers look for a new manager.

Rovers Chairman Nick Higgs said: "We are all very disappointed that this appointment has not worked out.

"Although we are aware that we need to find stability at the club, we felt we could not go any further with the current situation as the threat of relegation was becoming too real.

"We started the season with a great deal of hope for a successful campaign, but this has not been the case so far, despite promising early form.

"Our aim this season was to strive for promotion, and that has obviously not happened, so we felt we needed to make a change.

"As many of you are aware, I am currently out of the country, but I am in constant contact with the club and will strive to make an appointment as soon as possible."

Buckle joined Bristol Rovers at the end of May, and despite bringing in a whole new squad of players, he has failed to produce the desired results at the club.

A run of poor results, culminating in three defeats over the Christmas period prompted the board to relieve Buckle of his duties.