Cresswell ‘the diver’ has Aidy in a froth

FURIOUS Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd felt York striker Richard Cresswell should have been sent off long before he helped set up the Minstermen’s winning goal.

Cresswell had a hand in diverting Ashley Chambers’ cross into the path of Ryan Jarvis who then fired home in the 90th minute for the game's only goal.

Northampton had earlier had midfielder Darren Carter sent off, on his debut, for two bookings, and Boothroyd was incensed that Cresswell escaped a similar fate moments later.

After bursting into the box, the striker went down under contact from Ben Tozer, and while referee Charles Breakspear waved away appeals for a penalty, he also refused to show Cresswell a second yellow card.

“I told Richard Cresswell as he came off – and I shook his hand – that he had too much experience for that referee,” said Boothroyd.

“He went over in the box. It was simulation and he should have been sent off.

“It should be a penalty or a yellow card for simulation, but we didn't get either of them.

“We got a 'yeah, yeah' and a smile.

“I don't want to talk about referees, but unfortunately I am because he was certainly involved in the game a lot.

“Also I didn't think Darren Carter should have been sent off either.

“I thought he got a toe on the ball.”

For York boss Nigel Worthington, the result represents a reward for his team's persistence and an excellent win against a side he expects to challenge for promotion.

York were the better side for long spells, with Ashley Chambers enjoying a fine game on the left wing.

Though Northampton striker Roy O'Donovan struck the bar with a shot on the run, it was City who generated more goalscoring opportunities.

“One thing we've got to learn is that we keep going right until the final whistle and play for 90 or 95 minutes, however long it takes,” said Worthington, who also led York to a win at Northampton in the final month of last season.

“I thought, over the course of the game, we deserved to win.We created some chances and their keeper made several good saves.

“The effort and commitment of the players was tremendous and we needed that against a team that narrowly missed out on promotion last year.

“They won't be too far away this season, either, and that makes it really pleasing for us to beat them.”