Bury manager Alan Knill was celebrating today after being named Coca-Cola League 2 Manager of the Month for January.

Knill's men kicked off 2009 with an impressive run of results which included four wins from their six league fixtures. The Shakers began the month with a narrow defeat at league leaders Wycombe Wanderers before bouncing back to grab three points against Barnet. After securing a solid point at Exeter City, Bury rounded off January with consecutive wins over Aldershot Town, Bradford City and Luton Town to keep them in touch with the leaders at the top of Coca-Cola League 2.

Also short-listed for the January award were Dave Penney of Darlington, Mark Stimson of Gillingham and Rochdale's Keith Hill.

Chris Kamara, chairman of the Coca-Cola Manager of the Month Awards panel, said: "Bury made a terrific start to the season but then suffered a slump in form towards the end of last year. However, credit must go to Alan Knill for steadying the ship and getting his side back on track. They are now back in the League 2 title race and in with a real chance of automatic promotion this season."

Roberto Martinez of Swansea City won the award in the Championship and Colchester United's Paul Lambert was given the League 1 accolade.

The decision to present the Coca-Cola League 2 Manager of the Month award was made by the Coca-Cola Awards panel headed by Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara, former World Cup referee Jack Taylor, on behalf of The Football League, Richard Bevan and Olaf Dixon of the League Managers Association and Steve Watts, Marketing Assets Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain.