Barnet head coach Martin Allen has left The Hive in a shock move to join Conference National side Eastleigh.

The surprise announcement follows Ronnie Moore's sacking from the Hampshire non-league club yesterday evening, following a run of one win in their last six games.

The big-spending side, who last week forked out a club-record fee on Bees defender Bondz N'Gala, have evidently done enough to convince Allen his future lies away from The Hive - despite leaving Barnet on a seven-game unbeaten run in League Two.

The Bees are without a game this weekend, but will have first-team coach Rossi Eames in the dugout for next week's trip to Yeovil, unless a managerial appointment is made in the mean time.

Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous told the club's official website: "The approach came out of the blue yesterday but it was quite clear that Martin had decided that he wanted to take the opportunity they were offering to him.

“Our promotion two years ago was one of my highlights as Chairman and I was always aware Martin would be in demand as a result.

"The club is undergoing many changes. We have made the transition off the field needed for us to progress through the Football League and we must ensure our on-field development matches the facilities we have created.

"Martin’s departure presents us with an opportunity and we intend to appoint somebody who will help develop our younger players and integrate them into our first-team, as well as bringing in players who can play at a higher standard."

51-year-old Allen had been in charge of the Bees since March 2014 and barely a year later led them to the National League title, before securing a 15th-placed finish in their first year back in the Football League.

He won 57, drew 35 and lost 43 of his 135 games at the helm during his fourth spell in North London - where he made his managerial debut with the Bees back in March 2003.

His final game was Saturday's 3-2 win over Notts County at The Hive.