STUART Humphreys' transformation of Leigh RMI has been rewarded by him being named the Conference North manager of the month for December.

The boss of the Railwaymen was given the award after his side clocked up four consecutive league wins plus the scalp of Harrogate Town in the FA Trophy after a replay.

It is a remarkable change in fortunes for the ailing club who were staring relegation in the face in November, but who are now looking at challenging for a play-off spot.

Humphreys, the first Leigh manager to pick up the award, was quick to spread the credit around the club.

He said: "I have never won anything like this before and it is the first time the club have got it, but it is down to everybody else at Leigh. The manager is only as good as the team he puts out and when the whistle goes it is down to the players to carry out your instructions.

"We have had a good run of games, but there were pointers before that when we played well but did not get the results. We appear to have eliminated the mistakes, are better equipped to play for 90 minutes and are very solid at the back.

"People kept telling me that the curse of the award would be that we would lose the next game, but as I knew before we met Workington on Tuesday, I was relieved to get another win."