Martin Allen has spoken of his shock at being sacked as manager of Notts County.

The League One club opted to part company with Allen following a 3-0 loss to Hartlepool United.

"To be told by telephone on the Saturday evening on the way home from the Hartlepool match that my contract was being terminated with immediate effect came as a complete and utter shock," Allen said in a statement. "I could not believe I was being relieved of my managerial duties at Notts County.

"Now that the news has begun to sink in and I have had some time to reflect back on my time there, I leave Notts County very proud to have managed a club with such great tradition and passionate support and I can be very happy with the last ten months' work."

Allen has since been replaced by Keith Curle.