Match ends, Northampton Town 1, Stevenage 0.
NorthamptonNorthampton Town1StevenageStevenage0
A Marc Richards goal defeated Stevenage and ended Northampton's four-match winless run.
Richards, who has now scored nine goals this season, swept home from 12 yards after good build-up play involving Stewart Murdoch and Chris Hackett.
The striker headed over from six yards moments later as the Cobblers dominated the first 45 minutes.
Stevenage improved after the break and almost snatched a point when Lee Barnard hit the bar in stoppage-time.
Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:
"We've played OK today. I'm hoping our fans will go away from this match and enjoy their weekend.
"Even the top players sit deep when they are defending a narrow lead. It's difficult to overcome but this was our fifth game in 15 days.
"Kelvin Langmead is a popular boy in the changing room, as well as with the supporters. He has done a sterling job for us today."
Stevenage boss Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I have to say that I thought the second half of the performance tonight was outstanding. The attitude, the desire, the work ethic and the professionalism that the players showed was outstanding.
"Football results can lie sometimes. I don't think the score reflected what was on the pitch, I don't think anybody at Northampton would've complained if we came away with something tonight.
"There were a couple of guys that were being very rude, insulting. I've got family that sit there and they were talking to me in a disgusting way. The bulk of the fans were fantastic."
Line-ups
Northampton
Formation 4-4-2
- 21Archer
- 12Tozer
- 5Langmead
- 6Collins
- 17Robertson
- 11HackettSubstituted forRavenhillat 85'minutes
- 4Carter
- 32Murdoch
- 23MohamedSubstituted forByromat 85'minutes
- 9Richards
- 14NichollsSubstituted forToneyat 57'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Duke
- 2Alfei
- 7Sinclair
- 18Ravenhill
- 20Moyo
- 24Toney
- 25Byrom
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Day
- 25Henry
- 5AshtonBooked at 79mins
- 19Wells
- 3Dembele
- 22LeeSubstituted forWhelpdaleat 83'minutes
- 12McAllisterBooked at 45mins
- 46JebbSubstituted forParrettat 68'minutes
- 49Adams
- 9CharlesSubstituted forDeaconat 77'minutes
- 37Barnard
Substitutes
- 1Beasant
- 6Bond
- 7Whelpdale
- 8Walton
- 18Parrett
- 23Okimo
- 34Deacon
- Referee:
- Andy D'Urso
- Attendance:
- 4,431
Match Stats
Home TeamNorthamptonAway TeamStevenage
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Northampton Town 1, Stevenage 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Whelpdale (Stevenage) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Lee Barnard (Stevenage) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Post update
Darren Carter (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by David McAllister (Stevenage).
Post update
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Bira Dembele.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Joel Byrom (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Richard Ravenhill replaces Chris Hackett.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Joel Byrom replaces Kaid Mohamed.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Chris Whelpdale replaces Charlie Lee.
Post update
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Dean Wells.
Booking
Jon Ashton (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Ivan Toney (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jon Ashton (Stevenage).
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Roarie Deacon replaces Darius Charles.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Dean Parrett replaces Jack Jebb.
Post update
Attempt missed. Darren Carter (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt missed. Charlie Adams (Stevenage) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Ivan Toney replaces Alex Nicholls.
