AN 11th hour settlement for compensation on Monday saw Barnet withdraw their threat to prevent Martin Allen working as Brentford's new manager until he had served a period of notice with them.

The two clubs agreed to a consent order in the High Court and Brentford will make a confidential payment to the Conference promotion chasers, which means that Allen and physio Damien Doyle will be allowed to carry on working at Griffin Park.

Allen's coach Adrian Whitbread has also followed him to Brentford, but he was not part of Barnet's application for an injunction as he was not under contract to them.

It is understood that Barnet originally wanted a sum in the region of £100,000 for compensation and have settled for far less than that - probably just a four-figure sum - as Allen had only two months of his contract remaining.

John McGlashan, the Brentford director who was instrumental in bringing Allen to the club, told me: "It never entered my head that we would be without Martin. We acted correctly by making our approach to the Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous.

"We have now agreed a three-year contract with Martin."

The High Court judge was not required to give a decision as the respective barristers reached an agreement between them.

Brentford issued a statement saying: "Barnet FC, Brentford FC, Martin Allen and Damien Doyle are pleased to announce that they have resolved their differences which will enable Mr Allen to confirm his appointment as manager of Brentford.

"Barnet, Brentford and Martin Allen have now agreed the level of compensation payable to Barnet.

"Brentford and Martin Allen wish every success to Barnet and hope they achieve promotion to the Football League this season."

The Conference club, who were furious when Allen walked out on them to take over from the sacked Wally Downes at Brentford 16 days ago, have turned to England National Game XI manager Paul Fairclough to help them out. Fairlcough has been given the FA's approval to work with Barnet where senior players Ian Hendon and Danny Maddix had been placed in temporary charge. Fairclough took Stevenage to the Conference title in 1996.

Allen told me: "I'm relieved that I am being allowed to carry on my job at Brentford - it would have been a great disappointment to have to walk away and take gardening leave. Mind you, my hobby is gardening and it would have an ideal time to cut the grass and prune the roses.

"If I had been forced to serve a period of notice with Barnet I would have asked my No. 2 Adrian Whitbread to take temporary charge at Brentford. He was with me as a player when I was assistant manager at Reading and he is more than capable of taking over."

Allen added: "Now we must focus on the seven games we have left to save ourselves from relegation starting with this Saturday's home encounter with Chesterfield. If we continue to play as well as we have in my first two games, both of which we have won, we must stand a good chance. I expect I'll change the team a bit to give all the players a chance."

The former West Ham midfielder known as Mad Dog' denied that he had used fear to get the best out of the talented players assembled by Wally Downes under whom they had gained only one win in 19 games. He said: "It's mainly down to hard work on the training pitch and spending hours in the video class I've set up. I've given some of the lads books and audio tapes to study. I've tried to organise and guide them and they are going out and battling.

"In addition I've tried to relax them. When Rushden and Diamonds' late arrival caused the kick-off to be delayed for 30 minutes I told them jokes and danced to my Kyle tape."

In order to bond with the players and teach them positive thinking Allen accepted a £40 challenge from them to swim across a 20ft ice-cold river in a park in Darlington last week as they prepared for the Hartlepool game.

He commented: "I want everyone to be committed and positive. I can't have anyone sulking or moaning because it would have an adverse affect on the others."

Allen let winger Tony Rougier and four other players go - one on loan - on transfer deadline day last Thursday, but was unable to bring anyone in.

Winger Rougier joined Bristol City on a free transfer in the same week he was selected by Trinidad and Tabago. He made 34 appearances for Brentford in which he scored five goals after joining them from Reading in August last year.

Left-back Lee Fieldwick, also told by Allen he did not figure in his long term plans, joined Third Division Swansea City on loan. This followed the departures of striker Lloyd Blackman on loan to Cambridge City, and the permanent moves of striker Mark Peters and right-back Danny Allen-Page to Farnborough Town.

The latest to leave Griffin Park is left-sided midfielder Stephen Hughes, who has joined Ryman League team Basingstoke Town on loan until May 10. Hughes, 20, has made 13 first team appearances for the Bees. He is the fourth Brentford player currently loaned out, the others being Robert Traynor and Daniel Thomas at Crawley Town and Staines Town respectively.

Winger Alex Rhodes could be next to go on loan as a deal has been discussed with Kings Lynn.

Allen commented: "I let the players go partly to cut costs. I had Rougier with me at Reading and I didn't think he would fit into my style of play."

* Jim Stannard, who quit as coach and goalkeeping coach last week following the departures of Downes and his No. 2 Garry Thompson, has decided to accept Allen's offer to return as part-time goalkeeping coach.

* Jay Tabb has recovered from a head injury to play against Chesterfield this Saturday when keeper Stuart Nelson completes his four-game suspension.