BURY manager David Flitcroft has been named Sky Bet League One manager of the month for September.

The Bolton-based boss guided his side to a perfect month, with five wins out of five, thanks in part to some shrewd moves at the end of the transfer window.

Former Everton striker James Vaughan, who joined in August on a free transfer, hit the ground running with four goals in as many games in September.

He was nominated for the player's award but missed out to Scunthorpe winger Josh Morris.

And Flitcroft attributed his prize to the backing he has received from his players and staff.

“There’s a lot of people involved in winning the award," he said. "Obviously I get the prize, and it does say 'manager of the month', but it is important to give credit to the lads, give credit to my staff who work incredibly hard, the chairman, the board and all of the supporters.

“We’re trying to bring the club together as one. I’ll stand there and take the award, but there’s so many people behind the scenes who deserve credit and we’ve won it as a club.”

George Burley, who chaired the judging panel, said: "Dave made some very astute signings at the end of the transfer window and that helped them to a 100-per-cent record in September.

“Their goal differential of 13 for and five against was outstanding and that pushed them into an automatic promotion place.”

Bury moved up to second place in the table by the end of September before defeat at home to leaders Scunthorpe at the start of this month saw them drop down to third.

They have turned from relegation candidates with the bookmakers at the start of the season to an outside bet for promotion to the Championship.

Flitcroft's work on the training field and in the transfer market has had a big impact, and Sky Sports Football League pundit Don Goodman believes his three years at the helm have given the club a firm foundation.

Goodman said: “Such is the trend for short-lived football managers, David is now the 17th longest serving manager in English football, and is just short of three years in the job.

“This period of stability has been a successful one in Bury’s recent history and the last month’s run of form has thrown them within touching distance of the top two.”