Brady glad to get back to best with clean sheet

JON Brady was filled with relief after watching his Northampton side finally chalk up their first win of 2022 in a narrow affair.

The promotion chasers have stumbled since being hit by Covid but deservedly returned to winning ways through Paul Lewis’ set-piece and a 12th clean sheet of the season.

Northampton boss Brady admitted: “It’s nice to be back to winning ways.

“To play like we did in the first half today was really good because the conditions were difficult, but we played some good football and looked strong. I was pleased.

“The second half became tough against the wind but we dug in and the boys managed the game well. To come out with a win feels really good.”

Lewis’ close-range finish came after just 12 minutes and was one of few chances in a quiet contest.

Salford’s Matt Smith headed straight at Liam Roberts early on but the visitors found themselves behind when Lewis smashed in after Jon Guthrie’s effort was cleared off the line.

Mitch Pinnock was a threat for Northampton and his long-range effort had to be well-saved by

Tom King before the same man curled a free-kick wide.

Debutant Idris Kanu went close early in the second half before Smith had Salford’s best chance of the game from a freekick, again thwarted by Roberts.

The Cobblers were comfortable in seeing out victory and could even have won by a bigger margin after Ali Koiki forced King into a good save.

Salford manager Gary Bowyer was left disappointed by the outcome.

He said: “It was a hardfought game in blustery conditions and I thought it would be decided by a set-piece.

“I think we started the game well and had two great opportunities from corners, but they scored from the first one they had and it’s poor marking by us.

“The rest of the game wasn’t a spectacle to watch, that’s for sure, and I think the conditions played a part in that.

“But we still had a couple of really good opportunities, again at set-pieces. That was the type of game it became.

“When you see the conditions, you know it’s not going to be a pretty game of football so to concede the goal from a set-piece is disappointing.”