Bristol Rovers have sacked John Ward as the club's director of football following their relegation to the Conference on Saturday.

Ward, who had previously been Rovers' first-team manager, was only in the role for two months.

Chairman Nick Higgs told the club's official website: "Due to the situation we find ourselves in, it is no longer economically viable to have a first-team manager and a director of football. We would like to thank John for his services, but now is the time to be making these changes."

Ward also had a spell in charge of the Pirates between 1993 and 1996.