ANDREW CROFTS, Gillingham's goal hero against Plymouth, has agreed a new contract at Priestfield.

The 20-year-old has been a regular in Stan Ternent's starting line-ups and has impressed the new boss enough to win a new deal at the club.

He is now bound to Gillingham until 2009.

Having signed the contract on Saturday morning, Crofts rounded off the day by scoring the vital goal.

Ternent said: "Today's a day he won't forget. He's signed a new four-and-a-half year deal, he had a fantastic game and finished it by getting the all-important goal so it's been a smashing day for him.

Ternent confirmed the length of the new contract was an indication of the faith the staff have in Crofts.

"We gave him a long deal because he's that good a player," Ternent said.