Ards star Eamon McAllister has been named Championship Player of the Month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

McAllister scored four goals in February, finding the net against Dundela, Dergview and Queen's University. The 32-year-old also helped Ards to four wins and a draw against Portadown as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Upon collecting the Belleek award, McAllister said, "It's an honour for me to win this award. I've been playing in the Irish League for along time and this is the first time I have won a Writers' award. It's been a good month for me personally, but also for the team. It's been a disappointing season but we have improved in recent weeks and we

still have an outside chance of making the play-offs."

The attacking midfielder has previously played for Donegal Celtic, Crusaders, Ballymena United, Bangor and Carrick Rangers. He is now in his third spell with Ards.