There was no joy for either Kevin Austin or Kenny Jackett when the award announcements were made today for player and manager of the month.

Despite Swans fans voting for Kev there was to be no repeat of a Swansea player winning the award two months in succession after the triumph of Kris O'Leary in September. Maybe deservedly so, the award for the fans player of the month went to Southend defender Adam Barrett whose goals have helped the Shrimpers into a healthy position in the division.

Also in the top 5 for the month were midfielders O'Leary and Andy Robinson making it a good month if a somewhat untriumphant one in the individual awards.

The award for manager of the month went to rookie manager Ian Rush who has steered Chester away from the relegation zone and within three points of the play offs despite sitting in 17th place. Rush, who announced this week that he would not look to further his interest in the Welsh job, took over at the Deva Stadium after the eve of season departure of previous manager Mark Wright.

During the month of October his Chester team lost just one in the league and picked up eleven points from their six games a figure also matched by Leyton Orient, Lincoln and Cheltenham as the league two table started to bunch up a little bit more.

Other divisional award winners were