Guy Bates's timely goals propelled Drogheda United to the league title with games to spare and the striker is now confident of earning a contract extension.

The 21-year-old joined the club in July from Belgian side Oostende and has made the most of the few appearances afforded to him.

Indeed, it was his late match-winning goal against Cork City last week that secured the title but his hard graft throughout last month ultimately pushed Drogheda to the finishing line.

He was duly rewarded today for those efforts by winning the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month award for September.

"It's one of the proudest days of my life", he said. "To have a team award for winning the league is fantastic and for me personally to win an award is excellent as well.

"When I heard about winning it, I ran into the changing rooms straight away to ring my Dad to tell him the news. I was really excited. Everyone at home in Newcastle is delighted for me."

A former Newcastle and Carlisle striker, Bates's deal at United Park expires at the end of the season but he is confident he has done enough to warrant an extension.

"There have been no talks yet as such but I think there might be something coming up soon that will be good for me.

"I was hoping to get a run in the team if I could but now, as it's happened, to play a part in winning the league has been a dream. I couldn't have written the script any better."

His equaliser against Galway last month signalled his promise and he built on that with a match-winning strike against Derry before scoring the opener in the win over struggling Longford Town.