Ards midfielder Aidan Steele has been named Championship Player of the Month for January.

Steele had a superb month for Ards, registering a goal in a shock Irish Cup win over Ballymena United and hitting a brace away to Ballinamallard United in the league.

The former Crusaders man said: "I'm delighted to win this award as individual accolades are a rare thing in football. I'd like to thank the coaching staff and all my teammates at Ards.

"January was a great month both for myself and for the team. We're into the Quarter-Finals of the Irish Cup and the top half of the Championship.

"We want to kick on from here and enjoy a strong finish to the season."