ADAM Boyd yesterday won Hartlepool United's second award in three days when he was crowned the Powerade League One Player of the Month.

After Neale Cooper claimed the manager of the month award last Thursday, his leading scorer took the division's player honour.

Boyd, whose 19th goal of the season was enough to secure victory at Chesterfield on Saturday, scored four times in January, three in the league and one in the FA Cup.

He also won the award last year, taking the award for April after his goals helped Pool to the play-offs.

Saturday's win cemented Pool's fifth-place and defender Jack Ross admitted his team-mates can take pride from the performance.

He said: "We've kept seven clean sheets recently and it's a record to be proud of. Earlier in the season we were leaking goals and if you want to be at the right end of the table you can't afford to do that, but we are not doing it now - long may it continue.

"What do we put the turn around to? I don't know, I really don't know.

"We've got a settled unit now which helps, we all have a good understanding in there. I think we know each other's game well.

"Everyone in the team works hard and we are a good unit. I'm enjoying playing in this team.

"We've gone 12 games without losing and are in a great position. Other teams at the top are dropping points and we have games in hand. OK, so you have to win the games in hand, but even with those we are in a good position.''

He added: "It wasn't a pretty performance, but we would have settled for that sort of game before Christmas the way our away form was then.

"We are keeping it tight at the back and we will always have the chance of scoring goals with the players we have up front.

"It was a little bit disappointing to go in at half-time only drawing because we had the two best opportunities of the half.''

* Luton's Steve Howard was booked for the 10th time this season in Saturday's draw at Huddersfield and will miss the game with his former club at Victoria Park a week tomorrow.

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