Matt Fish in action for against Charlton during pre-season Pic: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham have rewarded defender Matt Fish for his consistent displays by handing him a new deal.

His previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season.

The new contract runs until the end of the 2014/15 season and manager Martin Allen was delighted to have tied him to the club for a longer stint.

He said: “Fish has been outstanding, he will only get better, and better, and better.

“He is a good person, has a great attitude and I am delighted that the supporters have warmed to him, have embraced him and are now seeing a proper decent player, without giving him a good grilling.

“As we all know, knocking anybody in society or on the football pitch has no benefit.”

Fish is the only player in the Gills team to have started every first team match this season. He was signed by Hessenthaler from Dover last summer and the 23-year-old, a former Crystal Palace youngster, has now clocked up 41 appearances for the club.