Shrewsbury boss Cowan named manager of the month

Shrewsbury Town head coach Gavin Cowan has been named League Two manager of the month for February after steering his side to five straight wins that have taken them well clear of the relegation zone.

Cowan, 44, replaced Michael Appleton at the end of January with Salop two points above the drop zone and with only one win in their previous 11 matches.

The former Brackley Town boss has since masterminded a superb turnaround in results that has seen Barrow, promotion-contenders Swindon Town and Notts County, Accrington Stanley and Salford City all beaten.

After losing to Walsall at the end of February, Shrewsbury bounced back with a last-minute win at play-off chasing Chesterfield at the start of this month, and Town are now 13 points clear of the bottom two.

Cowan said he was "really privileged" to receive the award and added it was "a reflection of a lot of hard work and energy invested by all staff and players, not just one man".

Shrewsbury, now in 17th place, take on Cheltenham Town, the team immediately below them in the table, on Saturday at Croud Meadow [15:00 GMT].