Match ends, Burton Albion 3, Northampton Town 1.
BurtonBurton Albion3NorthamptonNorthampton Town1
Burton maintained their place at the top of League Two with a comfortable win against Northampton Town.
Zander Diamond turned Stuart Beavon's cross into his own goal to put the home side ahead, before Phil Edwards stroked home from Nasser El Khayati's corner.
Lucas Akins added a third from the penalty spot shortly before half-time after he was tripped by Evan Horwood.
Lawson D'Ath's volley reduced the deficit, but Burton held on under heavy second-half pressure to secure the win.
Promoted Burton remain two points clear at the top of League Two and will seal the title if they beat Cambridge in their final fixture.
Defeat for Northampton ended their slim hopes of a play-off spot, as they remain 10th in table.
Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told BBC Radio Derby:
"The first half was very good. We started really quick. Out of the blocks we looked sharp.
"We know they are a good team and then when you go in at 3-0, it's always difficult to come out and do the same, to replicate it. We couldn't because the mind says you want to do other things.
"They (Northampton) had nothing to lose. They changed. They made two positive substitutions and went more direct and put us on the back foot."
Line-ups
Burton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1McLaughlin
- 2Edwards
- 4Mousinho
- 3Cansdell-Sherriff
- 14McCrory
- 8WeirSubstituted forPalmerat 87'minutes
- 15Naylor
- 10Akins
- 11StewartSubstituted forMcGurkat 68'minutes
- 21El KhayatiSubstituted forJohnstoneat 89'minutes
- 9Beavon
Substitutes
- 5Taft
- 20McGurk
- 23Palmer
- 27Harness
- 31Maynard
- 33Shearer
- 36Johnstone
Northampton
Formation 4-4-2
- 42Jalal
- 2MoloneySubstituted forHackettat 90+5'minutes
- 16Diamond
- 6CollinsSubstituted forCresswellat 45'minutesBooked at 87mins
- 3Horwood
- 26Holmes
- 21TaylorBooked at 78mins
- 25Byrom
- 19D'Ath
- 22De GirolamoSubstituted forRichardsat 45'minutes
- 24Toney
Substitutes
- 1Duke
- 4Carter
- 9Richards
- 11Hackett
- 12Tozer
- 14Gray
- 36Cresswell
- Referee:
- Richard Clark
- Attendance:
- 5,720
Match Stats
Home TeamBurtonAway TeamNorthampton
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burton Albion 3, Northampton Town 1.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Chris Hackett replaces Brendon Moloney because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Adam McGurk (Burton Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
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Lawson D'Ath (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Adam McGurk (Burton Albion).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ivan Toney (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Matthew Palmer (Burton Albion).
Post update
Ivan Toney (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Adam McGurk (Burton Albion).
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Brendon Moloney (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Denny Johnstone replaces Abdenasser El Khayati.
Booking
Ryan Cresswell (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Stuart Beavon (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Cresswell (Northampton Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Matthew Palmer replaces Robbie Weir because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Cresswell (Northampton Town) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lucas Akins (Burton Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Evan Horwood.
Booking
Jason Taylor (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card.
