Match ends, Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 1.
StevenageStevenage2NorthamptonNorthampton Town1
Simon Walton scored a 90th-minute winner as Stevenage came from behind to overcome Northampton Town and boost their League Two play-off hopes.
The visitors took the lead when Zander Diamond half-volleyed Joel Byrom's free-kick past Boro keeper Chris Day.
Stevenage equalised after the break when Chris Whelpdale latched onto Dean Parrett's free-kick to nod home.
But Walton sealed the winner late on before Northampton lost Ryan Cresswell to a second booking in added time.
Stevenage Manager Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It was a good first half from us, I was pleased with the performance on the whole. I thought we played intelligently, I thought we played decisively, I though we played with confidence.
"To go in 1-0 down was tough to take, it was a set piece we gave away softly and defended poorly.
"We went at the second half with real purpose and we kept pushing away. I thought the boys thoroughly deserved what they got after 90 minutes."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Day
- 7Whelpdale
- 19WellsBooked at 90mins
- 3Dembele
- 23Okimo
- 11PettBooked at 41minsSubstituted forAndradeat 78'minutes
- 6Bond
- 18Parrett
- 32Conlon
- 22LeeBooked at 82minsSubstituted forWaltonat 87'minutes
- 20Beardsley
Substitutes
- 1Beasant
- 8Walton
- 12McAllister
- 36Andrade
- 42Yamfam
- 43Akinyemi
Northampton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Duke
- 2MoloneyBooked at 79mins
- 6Collins
- 16DiamondSubstituted forO'Tooleat 71'minutes
- 3HorwoodSubstituted forTozerat 50'minutes
- 21TaylorBooked at 30mins
- 25Byrom
- 36CresswellBooked at 90mins
- 14GraySubstituted forD'Athat 50'minutes
- 24ToneyBooked at 82mins
- 22De Girolamo
Substitutes
- 4Carter
- 10O'Toole
- 11Hackett
- 12Tozer
- 17Perry
- 19D'Ath
- 42Jalal
- Referee:
- Peter Bankes
- Attendance:
- 3,378
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamNorthampton
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 1.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Ryan Cresswell (Northampton Town).
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan Cresswell (Northampton Town).
Booking
Dean Wells (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Goal!
Goal! Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 1. Simon Walton (Stevenage) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Brendon Moloney (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt saved. John-Joe O'Toole (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Simon Walton replaces Charlie Lee.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bruno Andrade (Stevenage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Booking
Ivan Toney (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
(Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ivan Toney (Northampton Town).
Booking
Charlie Lee (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Diego De Girolamo (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Lee (Stevenage).
Post update
Attempt missed. Bruno Andrade (Stevenage) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Booking
Brendon Moloney (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Dean Parrett (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Brendon Moloney (Northampton Town).
