Hastings Town manager George Wakeling has been named the Dr Martens eastern division manager of the month.

He won the accolade for December after his side won four of their five matches and scored 19 goals in the process.

League victories over Corby, Rugby and Burnham have helped the Arrows to joint top of the division, second on goal difference behind Grantham with a game in hand.

Town also thumped Folkestone Invicta 5-0 in the League Cup, with the only defeat a 3-0 Boxing Day reverse at Eastbourne Borough.

It is the first time Wakeling has won the award since replacing Dean White in October 2000.

He said: "It is a lovely award to win, but the players have earned it not me. It was a real surprise. "

League spokesperson Dennis Strudwick said: "It is well deserved. George is a highly-respected manager who is very astute. He is a deep thinker about the game. You can ask him a question and five minutes later he will give you a reply."

Town welcome back French striker Landry Zahana for their trip to third-placed Dorchester tomorrow.

New signing Martin Eldridge also travels. The 21-year-old left footed defender is a student at Eastbourne College and has joined Hastings until the end of the season from premier division King's Lynn.

Attacking midfielder Danny Simmonds is still out with an ankle injury. The teams drew 0-0 at the Pilot Field in October and Wakeling added: "I'm very hopeful of doing well."

Crawley will probably have five strikers in their squad as they protect a seven point lead in the Premier Division at Hinckley United tomorrow.

Boss Billy Smith's only dilemma will be deciding who his starting front two will be as Reds try to extend an impressive record of just one defeat in 15 league and cup games.

Ben Abbey came off the bench to score last week's matchwinner at Weymouth while Robbie Collins staked his claim with four goals in the midweek League Cup demolition of Burnham. Warren Bagnall is also in the reckoning now his groin problem seems to have cleared up.

Smith said: "It gives me plenty of options when there are players on the bench who can come on and get you a goal and change a game."

Lee Doherty is suspended following his red card at Welling on Boxing Day while Jay Lovett plays the last game of his three-month loan spell before returning to Brentford. Smith has signed former Carshalton and Aldershot utility player Simon Bassey as cover for the fullback positions.