Cobblers back to winning ways with excellent victory over title-chasing Exeter

The high-flying Grecians had won their last three league games and sat level on points with leaders Swindon ahead of kick-off but they were stopped in their tracks by Northampton, whose excellent performance was built on strong defending and clinical counter-attacking.

They were helped by a perfect start, romping into the lead with less than a minute played thanks to Oliver's thumping finish and his goal remained the difference between the teams at half-time.

Given their league position and good form, an Exeter response was expected in the second-half but in truth it never really came as they struggled to create anything of note throughout the entire game, and when Sam Hoskins scored from the spot with nine minutes to go, Town could breathe easy.

It was just the result and performance they needed after a sticky spell and the three points return them to the play-off positions, up to seventh in Sky Bet League Two.

Keith Curle was forced into a couple of changes as Andy Williams (hamstring) and Scott Wharton (knock) were both ruled out through injury.

Chris Lines and Oliver were both back in the starting line-up while Alan McCormack featured in the matchday squad for the first time since Boxing Day.

Town couldn't have wished for a much better start, screaming into a lead with just 54 seconds played when Exeter failed to deal with Lines' ball into the box box and Oliver emphatically thumped into the top corner from an acute angle.

The high-flying visitors were not put off their stride by the early goal and responded positively with Matt Jay drawing a couple of routine stops from David Cornell.

Exeter bossed possession but for all their good play, they owed a debt of thanks to goalkeeper Lewis Ward when the former Cobblers loanee produced a fabulous reaction save from Ryan Watson after Cornell's long ball had set Nicky Adams away.

The Grecians tailed off a bit after an excellent first 20 minutes but ended the first-half on top with Jordan Turnbull nearly turning a cross into his own net and then Charlie Goode called into superb last-ditch defending against Nicky Ajose.

Exeter signalled their intentions with a quick start to the second-half but again their possession didn't translate into chances and if anything Town carried a greater threat on the counter-attack with Hoskins' shot deflected wide and Callum Morton blazing over.

Whilst they didn't appear in any danger at the back, the Cobblers still needed a second goal to settle nerves and that's exactly what they got with nine minutes to go.

Morton burst away on the left, tricked his way into the box and was brought to ground, allowing Hoskins to send Ward the wrong way from 12 yards.

That essentially sealed the points and the remaining time ticked away without alarm as Cobblers claimed three sorely needed points.

Cobblers: Cornell, Jones, Goode, Turnbull, Lines, Watson (Pollock 56), Anderson (McCormack 81), Hoskins, Adams, Morton, Oliver (Harriman 69)

Subs not used: Arnold, Marshall, Warburton, Roberts

Exeter: Ward, Sweeney, Collins (c), Atangana, Martin, Parkes, Jay (Law 60), Dickenson (Richardson 75), Bowman, Williams, Ajose (Fisher 75)

Subs not used: Thompson, Martin, Moxey, Taylor

Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance: 5,046

Exeter fans: 402