Alan Knill has been sacked as Torquay United manager, the club confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

The club's 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle on New Year's Day proved to be the final straw for the League Two club, who are currently 23rd in the table.

"It is with great regret that Torquay United can announce we have terminated the contract of manager Alan Knill," the club said in a statement. "The first half of this season has not gone as we all hoped and the board at Plainmoor believe now is the right time for a change.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Alan for all his hard work at our club and especially his success in helping us stay in League Two at the end of last season. We all wish him the very best in his future career."

Head of youth development Geoff Harrop has been placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs.