Preece wins manager of the month

Northwich Victoria manager Andy Preece has been named Blue Square Premier manager of the month for April.

Despite the club being relegated to Blue Square North, Preece guided his side to six straight wins in April.

A 2-1 win at promotion-chasing Oxford United capped a fine end to the season for the Vics.

The former Bury and Worcester city boss replaced Steve King as caretaker manager in February and made an immediate impact on the side's results.

There was more good news for Northwich as defender Simon Grand also picked up the Blue Square Premier player of the month award for April.

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law won the Blue Square North manager of the month award.

The Reds achieved five wins and two draws during the month to finish third in the table, beating fellow promotion hopefuls Southport and Telford as they qualified for the play-offs.

Newport County AFC manager Dean Holdsworth picked up the Blue Square South the award.

Holdsworth steered County to a top-half finish after a difficult start to the season and his side finished the season with four wins and a draw in their five matches in April.