COLNE chairman James Webster has paid tribute to manager Nigel Coates - after he won his second Division Two Manager of the Month award this season.

Coates only took over in September when Paul Lynch left for Rossendale United but he has kept the Reds on track for the NWCL Division Two title.

In November Colne also caused a stir in the Lancashire FA Marsden Cup with a 4-2 win at Southport and progressed to the third round of the FA Vase with victory over Sheffield side Hallam.

Webster said: "This award is well deserved as Nigel has been tremendous since he took over.

"All the players and staff are behind him and we now feel if we play to our potential we can give anyone a game.

"Nigel quietly gets on with the job and has built up great team spirit."

Coates' latest signing is centre half Danny Potts, who joined this week from Clitheroe.

Colne, who completed their month with a 5-2 win at Norton to reach the Division Two Trophy semi-finals, are back in league action tomorrow with a trip to Blackpool Mechanics.

The Reds are currently third, three points behind leaders Formby and one behind Maine Road, but they have four games in hand on both of them.