Josh is on the spot to save Accrington
ACCRINGTON manager John Coleman made his frustrations clear despite his side coming from behind to claim a point against Northampton.
Matt Crooks headed over, Adam Buxton struck the cross bar with a freekick and Seamus Conneely nodded wide as the home side rued their missed chances in the opening period.
Northampton’s top scorer Marc Richards finally opened the scoring with a dinked effort over Jason Mooney.
However, Stanley equalised from the spot when David Buchanan felled Josh Windass, who converted to seal a point – although Coleman struggled to take any positives.
“There was an inconsistency within the team. We are not consistent over ninety minutes,” he asid.
“That game was one we could and should have won easily. But in the end we were hanging on, and in the last ten minutes it was attack versus defence.
“We had enough chances to win this game, but we are just too hot and cold at the moment and are just shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Northampton boss Chris Wilder was more optimistic in his assessment.
“That was a fair result for the team,” he said.
“I was not pleased with first half performance, but Richards’ goal gave us some breathing space at half time.
On the Windass penalty incident Wilder did concede that “it was a poor challenge, but he (Windass) fell easily, and that gives the ref a decision to make.”
Accrington had the better of the opening exchanges as they looked to continue their unbeaten home league record this season.
Forward Windass had the first real opportunity for the hosts, but his volley flew over.
The chances continued to come for Coleman’s Accrington, with Sean McConville, Piero Mingoia and Crooks all coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Stanley’s best chance of the first half came as Buxton’s free kick struck the crossbar.
But skipper Richards’ hooked finish after Accrington failed to deal with a long ball put the visitors in front.
Windass’ persistence saw him win a penalty on 55 minutes, following a clumsy challenge from David Buchanan, and he picked himself up to slot home the spot-kick.
However, Accrington failed to make the most of their dominance with McConville missing an excellent chance and again Northampton came back into the game.
In fact Accrington were indebted to their keeper Mooney who saved bravely from Richards and Nicky Adams twice in the closing stages.