Cobblers! Unbeaten run ends for Town
ON DECEMBER 19, 2015, goals from Gareth Evans and Conor Chaplin gave Portsmouth a 2-1 win over Northampton at Sixfields.
The Cobblers then went on a 31-game unbeaten league run which has seen them win the League Two title and make an impressive start back in the third tier.
But Chesterfield brought their fantastic run to an end ahead of Wednesday night’s cup game against a club – Manchester United – far more people would expect to go nine months unbeaten.
“We weren’t as disciplined in our defensive shape and when you’re playing against players at this level you get punished for that,” said Northampton boss Rob Page.
“The unbeaten run was never something we spoke about in the changing room so it was never an issue.
“It was a fantastic run and it’s come to an end but it’s important we bounce back with a win.”
Northampton were denied a penalty within the opening five minutes for what looked to be a push on striker Alex Revell.
Chesterfield were rubbing salt into the Cobblers’ wounds moments later as Conor Wilkinson expertly finished across Adam Smith for his first goal since arriving on-loan from Bolton.
The Spireites should have been 2-0 up within 25 minutes but Gboly Ariyibi saw his deflected effort cleared off the line by Zander Diamond.
Matty Taylor went close to bringing the visitors level but his powerful effort was tipped over the bar by Ryan Fulton.
Wilkinson added his and Chesterfield’s second of the game less than five minutes after the restart with a deflected effort.
Revell nearly reduced the deficit instantly but saw his header fall the wrong side of the post after meeting Paul Anderson’s cross.
Anderson turned targetman himself and found the bottom corner with a volley to give the Cobblers hope. But all good things must come to an end and Dion Donohue’s strike less than ten minutes later confirmed Northampton’s first league loss in nearly nine months.
“From the kick-off we showed our intentions and we got an early goal which I think we fully deserved,” said Chesterfield boss Danny Wilson.
“They’re very difficult to break down so you can see why they’re unbeaten. Thankfully they didn’t get their noses in front which would’ve made it a lot more difficult.”