Southend boss Phil Brown has beaten Gareth Ainsworth to the manager of the month award for the second time this season.

Both men were among the gong's four nominees in September and November - and it was confirmed this morning Brown had won the most recent award to go with the prize two months ago.

But Ainsworth said the nominations come with the club having a higher profile this season, having gatecrashed the push for promotion after being among the pre-season favourites for relegation.

He said: "You hear the name Wycombe Wanderers more in the newspapers and on TV. Some of the players' names now are becoming synonymous with good football in League Two.

"This helps, but the players are making their own mark.

"When it goes bad I take the brunt of it - when it goes well, I don't want to get all the glory for myself.

"It's me, Dobbo and Baz first of all, Andrew Howard with all he's done for the club, and the players out on the pitch who show everyone what we are trying to do and put the effort in."