Joey’s joy
BARTON SALUTE TO GRANT
BRISTOL ROVERS NORTHAMPTON
JOEY BARTON praised the versatility of Chelsea Academy graduate Josh Grant after his second-half goal had turned a feisty contest.
Northampton were ahead at the break through Sam Hoskins’ 39th-minute penalty.
But Grant, a constant threat on the left flank, levelled for Bristol Rovers in the 53rd minute with a powerful far-post header from Harry Anderson’s cross.
Six minutes later a defensive error allowed Antony Evans to stride through unchallenged and shoot the winner low past Liam Roberts.
Pirates midfielder Glenn Whelan received a second yellow card for a
67th-minute foul on Mitch Pinnock but Barton’s men defended strongly in the closing stages to clinch the points.
He said: “Josh Grant is an intelligent footballer and because of that he can do a job in a number of positions.
“We have used him mainly in central positions, but last week we had to play him on the left through necessity and he did well.
“He played a lot at left-back during his Chelsea days and we may now have stumbled across his best position.
“There were so many positives for us and a real unity with the supporters, who were like a 12th – or should that be 11th – man for us in the closing stages.”
Northampton forced a goalline clearance from Connor Taylor with the last effort of the game but boss Jon Brady said: “We made uncharacteristic mistakes.
“We gave them the second goal and from then on they managed the game very well.
“Their goalkeeper took two minutes over every goalkick and that was frustrating.
“But we have to be better.”
BRISTOL ROVERS: Belshaw 7; Kilgour 7, Taylor 6, Harries 7; Anderson 7, Coutts 6, Whelan 5, Finlay 7, Grant 8 (Anderton
(64th) 6); Nicholson 7 (Collins 89th), Evans 7 (Thomas (70th) 6)
NORTHAMPTON: Roberts 7; Revan 7 (Harriman 78th, Horsfall 7, Guthrie 7, Koiki 6; Pinnock 6 (Connolly 78th), McWilliams 6, Flores 6 (Kamamba 78th), Hoskins 7;
Lewis 7, Etete 6
Josh Grant
S Allison