The October nominations for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award are:
Chris Beech (Carlisle United)
Progress under Beech had been steady if not spectacular since he took over at Brunton Park 12 months ago. October changed all that as Beech’s side revealed themselves as promotion contenders, collecting 14 points from seven games.
Michael Duff (Cheltenham Town)
Duff’s side was busy in October, playing eight league games plus an EFL Trophy tie, which meant managing resources and juggling his squad around. The results were impressive with five wins and five clean sheets in a 16-point haul.
Mike Flynn (Newport County)
The spirit Flynn has engendered in his Newport team continues to amaze and lead to remarkable feats. Three of their six victories in October, which lifted them top of League Two, were secured by winning goals from the 88th minute onwards.
Matt Taylor (Exeter City)
Any play-off final hangover his side might have been suffering in September was blown away by his calm and inspiring influence as Exeter strode unbeaten through seven October games and garnered 15 points in the process.
The October nominations for the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month Award are...
Jon Mellish (Carlisle United) – midfielder
Out of favour as a central defender, Mellish was tried in midfield in the reserves by Chris Beech in January and a box-to-box, all-action midfielder was born. His four goals in October were the result of uncanny instincts of when to burst forward.
Paul Mullin (Cambridge United) - striker
A second straight nomination for a hard-working forward who had never scored more than nine goals in a season before. He managed eight in seven October games alone, even pirouetting for the third goal of his hat-trick against Port Vale.
Scott Twine (Newport County) – midfielder
Three goals and two assists for the young midfielder do not tell the full story of his sharp-shooting impact for Newport. Happy to take on and unleash shots from all ranges and angles, his goals are lasered things of beauty.
Max Watters (Crawley Town) - striker
Watters began October at non-league Maidstone having been released by Doncaster in the summer. His first five EFL games for Crawley brought a remarkable five goals for the 21-year-old who looks unflustered in front on goal.