McDermott Gets April Gong

Reading boss Brian McDermott has been given the Championship's manager of the month award for April. The Royals won the first five of their eight games last month to guarantee a place in the end-of-season play-offs. The League One award went to Nigel Adkins, who oversaw seven Southampton wins from eight - including victory at champions Brighton. The run was good enough - barring an unparalleled final-day meltdown - to secure Saints' return to the second tier. Bury boss Richie Barker took the League Two award after a flying start to life at Gigg Lane. Barker succeeded Alan Knill and took 18 points from a possible 21 to book the Shakers' top-two spot and automatic promotion.