SALISBURY City boss Nick Holmes has missed out on the Blue Square Premier manager of the month award despite his side enjoying the same points return as Cambridge United, whose supremo Jimmy Quinn collected the monthly honour.

A spokesman for Blue Square said: "Quinn's side remained unbeaten as they negotiated a number of tricky fixtures throughout the period to go third in the table.

"The U's beat fellow promotion hopefuls Forest Green and Stevenage - as well as holding table-toppers Aldershot to a goalless draw followed by an away win at Halifax Town."

Salisbury won three of their four matches during the month - at home to play-off hopefuls Burton Albion and away at Northwich Victoria and Kidderminster Harriers - and drew at home with Forest Green Rovers, another of the play-off hopefuls, extending their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Holmes admitted he wasn't unhappy to let someone else take the award - his previous manager of the month accolades have often coincided with an unbeaten run coming to a close.

"You should probably have money on Cambridge not doing well in their next game now," he joked.

Setanta Blue Square Premier pundit Paul Parker had this to say about Quinn: "When you look at the quality of the opposition that Cambridge faced, the fact they remained unbeaten was a real achievement." Quinn is the first manager this season to pick up a second monthly award, after scooping the November prize.

In the Blue Square South the award goes to Bishop's Stortford manager Martin Hayes. The former Arsenal striker led his team to four wins and a draw, their only defeat coming in the 1-0 away reverse at high-flyers Lewes. Hayes' side scored a remarkable 15 goals in their six games, hitting five of those in their home win over Bognor Regis.

Harry Dunn of Blyth Spartans has won the award in the Blue Square North. The Spartans have been in fantastic form that has seen them move eleven points clear of the relegation places in the Blue Square North table. Dunn's side achieved three wins and three draws in their six matches - their wins coming against sides in the top half of the table notably Harrogate Town and Southport.