Arnold admits it's been 'tough' to be number two but he's happy to get his chance

Cobblers goalkeeper Steve Arnold has enjoyed competing with David Cornell for a regular place in the team this season despite admitting it can be 'tough' when spending long spells on the sidelines.

It might have been very different for the 30-year-old had he not suffered a bad hamstring injury on his debut against Port Vale, just a week into the new season.

He missed around two months of action and Cornell's excellent form in the meantime forced him to make do with the appearance in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy.

Arnold eventually returned to the team at Crawley Town on Boxing Day but Northampton's 4-0 defeat that afternoon saw him immediately replaced by Cornell the following game.

However, two months later and Arnold was back in the team to face Grimsby on Saturday, keeping his first league clean sheet for the club as Cobblers ran out 3-0 winners.

"It can be tough at times but it's the nature of the game and it makes you want to do better in training, it really does," said Arnold afterwards.

"Sometimes, when you haven't got that extra challenge, you sort of know that you're going to be in the team.

"I wouldn't say I've ever cruised but you do know that the gaffer's not likely to put a youngster in the team.

"So it's really good to have competition here and I've had that a few times at my previous clubs - it gets the best out of both goalkeepers."

Arnold made a couple of good stops on Saturday but otherwise his team-mates were on top form to claim a dominant victory.

"We managed the game superbly and limited them to very few chances," he added. "They had the opportunity before half-time and again right at the end of the second-half but that's all I can really remember.

"I made one or two saves but that's why we're here and that's what our job is - to make saves.

"I think we did the hard yards in the first-half when it was wind against and we got our two goals. It was always going to be difficult for them in the second-half with the wind in their faces."

And on two-goal star Callum Morton, Arnold said: "He's hit the ground running as soon as he's come into the club and he's got pace to burn.

"I don't think I've seen someone like him. He's like a little whippet and the most important thing is that he scores goals, which always helps!"