Cobblers boss Brady delighted as 'strong performance' sees off Stags

Sam Hoskins scored the only goal of the game with a 28th-minute penalty after Louis Appéré was brought down by Mansfield goalkeeper Christy Pym.

That was reward for an excellent first-half display and the home side had chances for a more comfortable win, especially once Stephen Quinn saw red for a shocking challenge on Kieron Bowie midway through the second-half, but one goal would be enough.

"I'm just really pleased for our players and our supporters tonight," said Brady, who was without 10 players due to injury and suspension. "It was a strong win and a strong performance.

"I want to talk about the players who were out there. We have got a lot of missing, 10 tonight, but the players who have been on the periphery came in and performed very well and worked really hard, including the subs.

"I felt the players were excellent in their organisation and the way they stopped the opposition from playing and it led to us creating to a lot of chances on the back of that.

"It was just a really disciplined performance, not just from the starting XI but all 14, 15 players."

On the winning penalty, Brady added: "It takes courage to step up and stick it away like that and Sam's been there when we have needed him this season.

"The penalty came off the back of our organisation and it was a great run and shimmy from Louis to go round Pym and he's been brought down. It was great teamwork to create the penalty."