Manager Steve Evans and Gillingham’s leading scorer Vadaine Oliver are both nominated in Sky Bet EFL’s monthly awards for League 1.

During a hectic March the Gills won five of their eight League 1 games and 29-year-old striker Oliver helped himself to eight goals

It was a stunning month for Oliver - a free transfer summer signing - as he took his season tally up to 17 as the Gills moved into the top six at the end of the month. They have since dropped back to ninth after Monday's loss at Blackpool.

Oliver scored the winning goals at Ipswich and bagged two more at Swindon. He scored the opener in a 3-0 win at Lincoln City and netted the only goal of the game as the Gills ended the month by beating Wigan 1-0, rising well above his marker to head in a cross from Ryan Jackson.

Also in contention for the March player-of-the-month award are Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien, helping Sunderland move into automatic promotion contention, Peterborough United’s Sammie Szmodics and Blackpool’s main man Jerry Yates, netting four in his eight outings.

Oliver’s haul should see him claim the monthly accolade.

Evans’ men rose from 15th place up to sixth during the month, including the win at Lincoln - who were second at the time - while they took a point off current leaders Hull City. They accumulated 17 points in the month from the eight games and scored 16 goals.

Fleetwood Town’s Simon Grayson (13 points from six), Sunderland’s Lee Johnson (16 points from six) and Hull City’s Grant McCann (14 points from six) are also in the running for the monthly award.

Winners will be announced on Friday.