Match ends, Northampton Town 2, Southend United 1.
NorthamptonNorthampton Town2SouthendSouthend United1
Northampton Town moved off the bottom of League Two for the first time this year with victory over play-off hopefuls Southend United.
Mathias Kouo-Doumbe headed in Chris Hackett's corner to put the hosts ahead, before Michael Timlin latched on to Marc Laird's throughball to level.
Ricky Ravenhill blazed over the Southend bar and Barry Corr hit tamely at Northampton keeper Matt Duke.
But Hackett slotted in Emile Sinclair's cutback to secure the hosts' victory.
Hackett thought he had scored a second but saw his back-post header ruled out for offside, although it barely mattered as the Shrimpers failed to mount significant late pressure.
Phil Brown's side are in the midst of a worrying slide, having not recorded a victory in seven league games, but remain in the final play-off spot.
Meanwhile, Cobblers boss Chris Wilder has got the Sixfields contingent believing that survival may be possible with three wins from their last four, but they have to make up a five-point gap if they are to climb to safety.
Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:
"It was another great effort by the players. I wanted us to play a little bit more first half - they didn't allow us to get our heads up, but we did in the second half.
"When the final whistle went, people weren't talking about our league position.
"It's a valuable three points and if we play with the same commitment and drive that we have tonight, then we'll continue to be a difficult side to play against.
"I don't think anybody will fancy playing us at the minute."
Southend United manager Phil Brown told BBC Essex:
"Quite simply, we didn't match them in the battle in the second half and that was the difference between the two teams.
"Northampton fully deserved to win the game. They looked like they were fighting for their lives and we have to have that kind of mentality from now until the end of the season.
"One or two harsh words have been said to one or two individuals. I want them to take responsibility for their performances.
"Tonight, I don't think one or two did, and consequently we were picked off and we lost the game."
Line-ups
Northampton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Duke
- 2McSweeney
- 29Robertson
- 34Ravenhill
- 23Diamond
- 27Kouo-Doumbe
- 11Hackett
- 4Carter
- 9MarquisBooked at 20minsSubstituted forConnellat 55'minutes
- 7SinclairSubstituted forDeeganat 86'minutes
- 35DickensonSubstituted forMorrisat 55'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Morris
- 12Tozer
- 13Snedker
- 17Deegan
- 18Connell
- 24Toney
- 25German
Southend
Formation 4-4-2
- 17Bentley
- 18Leonard
- 3Coker
- 4LairdSubstituted forHurstat 72'minutes
- 2White
- 5PhillipsBooked at 90mins
- 12Atkinson
- 8TimlinBooked at 85mins
- 39BarnardSubstituted forEastwoodat 56'minutes
- 10Corr
- 11StrakerSubstituted forWilliamsat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Smith
- 7Eastwood
- 14Hurst
- 21Payne
- 27Banton
- 28Williams
- 29Gomis
- Referee:
- Carl Boyeson
- Attendance:
- 3,846
Match Stats
Home TeamNorthamptonAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Northampton Town 2, Southend United 1.
Post update
Chris Hackett (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Ben Coker (Southend United).
Booking
Mark Phillips (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Chris Hackett (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mark Phillips (Southend United).
Post update
Foul by Alan Connell (Northampton Town).
Post update
Ben Coker (Southend United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Gary Deegan replaces Emile Sinclair.
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Jason Williams replaces Anthony Straker.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Chris Hackett (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Michael Timlin (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Alan Connell (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Timlin (Southend United).
Post update
Zander Diamond (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Barry Corr (Southend United).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Freddy Eastwood (Southend United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Ben Coker (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Zander Diamond (Northampton Town).
