Accrington Stanley boss James Beattie one of four nominated for Manager of the Month

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 03 December 2013

Accrington Stanley's James Beattie, Phil Brown of Southend United, Burton Albion's Gary Rowett and John Ward of Bristol Rovers are nominated for November's League Two Manager of the Month.

James Beattie of Accrington Stanley has been nominated for November's League Two Manager of the Month alongside Southend United's Phil Brown, Gary Rowett of Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers' John Ward.

Beattie's Accrington began the season with seven defeats in their first eight matches but have now pulled away from the drop zone thanks to an eight-game unbeaten run that was ended at Northampton Town on Saturday.

In November, Stanley drew their first game against Wycombe before three consecutive victories over Scunthorpe, Torquay and Fleetwood Town were followed by Saturday's narrow loss at Sixfields.

Brown's Southend were about to win their fifth straight game in November when Cheltenham Town scored a last-minute penalty on Saturday.

A haul of 13 points in the 11th month is still hugely impressive and now sees the Shrimpers in the top three of what is a close top half.

Burton, under the guidance of Rowett, recovered from two losses at the start of month with three straight 1-0 victories over Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town and Plymouth.

Three goals in total were conceded over the period and Albion, along with Southend, are one of five teams on 33 points, one shy of leaders Oxford United.

Finally, Ward has led injury-stricken Rovers through a tough month, conceding only two goals as they went down just once at Burton as well as progressing in the FA Cup.

November began with a shock victory at Oxford and ended with a comprehensive home win over AFC Wimbledon.

The winner will be announced on Friday.