AFC Darwen boss Kenny Langford has been hailed for bringing a winning habit back to the club after being awarded the North West Counties First Division manager of the month for September.

After a dreadful start to the campaign, which brought four straight defeats, Darwen lost just once in five outings last month to move them back towards mid table safety.

Langford’s men are bidding to continue their recent improvement at league stragglers Nelson this evening and secretary Derek Slater insists his manager deserves all the credit he is getting.

He said: “The award is definitely deserved. He has done really well after a slow start to the season and the turnaround has been absolutely fantastic.

““Everyone at the club has got a smile on their faces and that is what a few wins can bring. We will definitely be going to Nelson looking for the win.

“We know Nelson will be a difficult game and we know all about Jerome Matthews who is scoring a few goals for them.”

A 3-1 win away at Liverpool at the end of last month saw Darwen progress into the first round proper of the FA Vase and they now travel to Squires Gate in a fortnight’s time.

Slater said: “We are all on a high after that great win and everyone is playing for their places now for the Squires Gate game. Everyone wants to be in the team for that game.”