REVELL RUINS RUSSELL’S DAY
ALEX Revell upset old boss Russell Slade with the opening goal that denied Charlton victory.
Revell opened his goal account for Northampton with a well-placed header.
And Rob Page admitted an aerial threat was something his side had worked on.
“We knew Charlton had a young lad at the back and we knew that we could exploit that,” he said.
“Alex leads by example and his work rate was unbelievable throughout the game.”
But Russell Slade’s side battled back to earn a deserved point thanks to Johnnie Jackson’s expert finish.
The hosts had the first notable chances of the game through Morgan Fox and then Ricky Holmes, who both fired over.
But it was Northampton who took the lead soon afterwards when Revell – who played under Slade at Brighton, Leyton Orient and Cardiff – beat his man to nod Alfie Potter’s right “We wing cross past Declan Rudd from eight yards.
Midway through the half, former Cobbler Holmes saw his curled effort held by Adam Smith, before visiting midfielder Harry Beautyman glanced a header narrowly wide.
After the break, Andrew Crofts forced Smith into a smart, low stop to tip his strike around the post, before Nicky Ajose fired just wide after turning neatly.
The Addicks earned an equaliser their play deserved when captain Jackson tucked home after a great pass from Ajose, which thrilled Slade.
“The goal came after what we discussed together at halftime,” he said.
“We moved the ball quickly through the thirds and down the sides, and Johnnie finished the move really well.
With time running out, Ajose swivelled and tested Smith, before Sam Hoskins saw an attempt drift over for the visitors.
A winning goal proved elusive, despite the attempts of Lookman, who saw his free kick parried away in the dying seconds.
Overall, Page was pleased with the performance from his team.
“It’s a great point and was another real battle,” he added.
knew they would come out strong after the first half but we knew we had another goal in us as well.
“It was an end-to-end game in the final stages but we dug deep, put our tin hats on and got a deserved point.
“There are still things to work on but we’ll certainly take a point away at Charlton.”
And although Slade was happy to get his first point in charge, he felt his team deserved more.
“It was an even first half, there weren’t many opportunities. We lost Revell in the box, which he punished us for. “We had the mavericks on the wings and were almost playing a 4-2-4 at times going for the win I think we deserved.