Steve Lovell has been named Gillingham boss on a permanent basis.

The Gills revealed on Thursday that Lovell has been appointed until the end of the season.

Since taking over from Peter Taylor, Lovell has lost only one game out of seven matches in charge.

He has won four games - including two away matches in League 1 against Peterborough and Rotherham - and tasted defeat only once.

Chairman Paul Scally said: "I'm delighted that Steve is going to remain first-team manager until at least the end of the season, and hopefully a lot longer.

"I'm really pleased about that, I'm delighted to give Steve the chance.

"I think he has done an incredible job over the last few weeks in some very difficult circumstances for the club.

"Probably, if I hadn't been so involved in the legal case in the High Court then we would have made this appointment two or three weeks earlier, but it's never too late."

Gills parted company with Ady Pennock in September and director of football Peter Taylor then took charge before departing last month.

A number of potential candidates had been linked with the post, including Keith Millen, Graham Westley and Steve Evans.

Lovell, who was also nominated for October's League 1 manager of the month award, takes his Gillingham to Walsall on Saturday.

Gills remain in the League 1 relegation zone but have picked up more points since Lovell took charge of team affairs.