Value of victory is not lost on Wilder
CHRISWilder declared Northampton’s win against Morecambe the biggest result of their season so far as Ivan Toney’s goal inflicted a third consecutive 1-0 defeat on the Shrimpers.
The Cobblers are now up to fifth after Toney’s header proved to be the difference between the two sides, and Wilder was in no doubt over the importance of the result.
“I’ve just said to the players that I think it’s the biggest result of our season after what happened last week," Wilder said. "Questions were asked of us and whether we’re an up and down side, and everyone was there to see us last week at Sixfields.
“If we’re going to do something properly and we’re going to be successful then both parts of the pitch have to be executed well and be done OK. The lads have worked hard all week and I believe it was a deserved victory.
“To put in a performance like that with nine players on the sidelines injured is brilliant, and we’ve got a great result to back it up.”
The Cobblers started brightly and could have led as early as the third minute, when Toney - Northampton’s best player all afternoon - forced a smart save from Barry Roche with a well struck free-kick.
But their dominance was finally rewarded after 33 minutes, when Toney took full advantage of an error from Roche. The Morecambe keeper came rushing out to try and clear a ball on the edge of his own area, but somehow ended up being caught in no man’s land.
That left Toney with an opportunity he didn’t pass up on; heading the ball over Roche to nudge Chris Wilder’s men into the lead.
Morecambe improved in the second half, with Kevin Ellison perhaps having the best chance for the home side, firing wide after a good run into the area. It finished 1-0 though, leaving Morecambe without a goal or a point in three games, and boss Jim Bentley cut a frustrated figure after another defeat for his side.
“We’re very disappointed, because that’s now the last three we’ve lost 1-0,” Bentley lamented.“It’s disappointing to lose any game, but losing in front of your home fans because of a mistake is very disappointing.
“We haven’t played as well as we can do which is upsetting. It looked like two even sides, we were both coming into the game off the back of a defeat and it looked a little bit jittery to start with.
“We invited a little bit of pressure on us in regards to poor decisions, and they took no chances whatsoever.
“They played for corners and just didn’t mess about, and unfortunately we did.”