Slavisa Jokanovic, Karl Robinson and Phil Brown win manager awards

Watford's Slavisa Jokanovic, MK Dons' Karl Robinson and Southend's Phil Brown have won the Manager of the Month awards for April.

Derby's Tom Ince, Preston’'s Jermaine Beckford and Southend's Adam Barrett scooped the player awards.

Watford boss Jokanovic led his team to promotion to the Premier League.

George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel and he said: "Watford have had a fantastic April, collecting 16 points. 

"The Sky Bet Championship has been the most closely contested division in England this season and Slavisa and his team must be congratulated for earning automatic promotion."

Sky Sports' Football League pundit Don Goodman said: "Slavisa Jokanovic could not have wished for a better first season in charge of the Hornets. He has led his team into the Premier League with one game to spare and goes into the final game in pole position to win the Sky Bet Championship title."

Robinson guided his side through a month of crushing dominance as they closed in on the automatic promotion places.

The Dons gained 19 points from a possible 21 with a 20-3 goal differential, winning five games by at least two goals.

Burley said: "Yet again Karl has pushed MK Dons forward with a phenomenal goal difference.

"Simon Grayson's Preston have also been in great form and it will be an interesting battle between the two of them to see who gets automatic promotion alongside Bristol City."

Brown proved himself to be the master of timing as Southend charged towards automatic promotion with seven wins from seven games, including a vital 1-0 victory at rivals Bury.

Brown told Sky Sports News HQ: "I put it down to hard work, preparation, a first-class backroom staff, great support from the chairman from a financial perspective and most importantly the camaraderie and spirit of the players.

"We were beaten by Burton 2-1 and it was a tough pill to swallow. We were beaten in the 90th minute and they were down to 10 men. We had a real heart-to-heart with the players. It just shows you how much they care. Then Cambridge came and parked the bus - we drew 0-0. After that the team has been galvanised."  

Ince scored five goals in six April games. Rams coach Steve McClaren said: "Tom has been fantastic for us since his arrival at the start of February. He has scored plenty of goals and shown his quality."

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Preston striker Beckford scored five important goals in the month.

He has formed a brilliant partnership with Joe Garner, and is once more demonstrating his finishing prowess under pressure.

Preston manager Simon Grayson said: "Jermaine can finish goals and has scored them at the highest level. He works extremely hard for the team and I’m delighted for him that he has won this award."

Veteran defender Barrett has put in a series of inspiring displays at the heart of a Southend defence which did not concede in seven games in April.

Brown said: "He has been a revelation, it's got to be said. His spirit and drive and determination to stay in the team has been exemplary. Congratulations to him."