Gillingham boss Steve Lovell has been named the League One Manager of the Month for January.

Since taking over the Gills in October, the 57-year-old has masterminded a rise from 23rd in the table to 12th place.

The Kent club enjoyed a fruitful January which yielded a maximum 12 points from 12, including comeback wins against Rochdale and Fleetwood Town, plus victories at high-flying Charlton Athletic and Scunthorpe United.

"We didn't have the best start to the season, and work had to be done but we just managed to get the players working hard together as a unit and fortunately enough it turned and we've had a decent run since then," Lovell told the EFL website.

"It's hard to put a finger on what has been behind the turnaround, it's just playing players in positions where they could be the best for the team and for the football club and getting a mutual respect with them. They're a really good bunch of players, they've worked hard and they are still doing that now."

AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley, Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke and Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray were also in the running for the award.