Cobblers climb out of the bottom four thanks to deserved win over Gills

Town produced their best 45 minutes of football in an age in the first-half and goals from Sam Hoskins and Danny Rose put them in control of the contest.

Kyle Dempsey's free-kick right on half-time meant it was back in the balance at the break but Alan Sheehan, fresh from signing a new contract, netted his first Cobblers goal just moments after the restart to give Town breathing space again.

Gills pushed late on but rarely looked like getting back into the game as Cobblers snapped their four-game losing streak to leap up to 19th in League One and relieve the pressure on manager Keith Curle.

New signing Lloyd Jones started just an hour after his return to the club had been confirmed and he was joined in defence by the fit-again Sheehan.

Shaun McWilliams also started after a three-game suspension and Jonathan Mitchell returned between the sticks.

Cobblers made the better start and both Cian Bolger and Benny Ashley-Seal had half chances in the opening 10 minutes but neither were able to hit the target.

Hoskins also steered a header wide of the near post before Gillingham, who had been second best, carved out the game's best chance on 26 minutes when Sheehan's superb block thwarted Dempsey.

Town then struck just four minutes later. Rose's marauding run was abruptly stopped by Connor Ogilvie in the penalty box and referee Carl Boyeson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, with Hoskins stepping up to smash home from 12 yards.

Cobblers quickly had a second and Rose was again heavily involved, but his striker partner deserved much of the credit.

Ashley-Seal controlled smartly, spun and drove into the box, and though his shot was saved by Jack Bonham, the rebound fell to Rose who poked in.

Gills were back in the game right on the cusp of half-time though when Boyeson awarded a soft free-kick to Gillingham and Dempsey struck his effort through a gap in the wall and into the corner.

That felt like a big moment in the game but Town crucially restored their two-goal lead immediately after the restart.

Ashley-Seal was fouled and Sheehan's subsequent free-kick evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner.

Rose had a shot deflected narrowly wide as he pushed for his second and Cobblers' fourth, and he went closer still when seeing a shot blocked after Hoskins hit the post.

There were some scary moments for Town at the other end as Gills pushed but they defended well in the main, with Mitchell barely worked between his posts.

Match facts

Cobblers: Mitchell, Jones, Bolger (c), Sheehan (Horsfall 77), Adams (Harriman 70), Hoskins, McWilliams, Watson, Sowerby, Rose (Chukwuemeka 70), Ashley-Seal (Holmes 90)

Subs not used: Arnold, Missilou, Marshall

Gillingham: Bonham, Jackson, Tucker, Ogilvie, O'Connor, McKenzie, Eccles (Willock 70), Robertson (Oliver 45), Dempsey (c), MacDonald (Coyle 74), Akinde

Subs not used: Drysdale, Maghoma

Referee: Carl Boyeson