North's Leading Lights Are Getting Rewards Aplenty!

Darlington fans told Steve Watson to start smiling on the sidelines in March after his side strung some great results together.

He refused - and said you’ll only see the boss beaming once safety was assured.

He’s been a happy chappy for a few weeks now after the Quakers pulled off a great escape when it was looking very bleak.

If the season had started when Watson and Terry Mitchell turned up at Blackwell Meadows, it might have been a different story this season for Darlington. If the division would have kick-off on New Year’s Eve they would have been pushing for the play-offs!

They ended the campaign six points above the drop-zone. Beating two relegation rivals really helped this month as Southport and Farsley were dispatched days after a win against Warrington.

They also claimed a point at his old club Chester - and Darlo officials have moved fast to tie the Manager of the Month down to a new contract.

Few sides had a better month than Brackley Town and Morgan Roberts was just one of their stand-out performers.

The award could have easily gone to the winger’s team-mate Danny Newton, but the panel picked the impactful wide man - and he is pretty used to getting his hands on a gong.

Roberts – who won the award in August 2022 when at Banbury – has played a key part in the Saints’ play-off charge which saw them end the season in the top three.

Seeing off eventual champions Tamworth, they also beat play-off hopefuls Boston United and Chester last month before a five-star performance against Blyth closed out the regular season.

Not many do it, but he scored against the division’s winners and then put two past the doomed Spartans on the final day.

Now Roberts and co have one last honour to secure!