Curle chuffed as professional Cobblers show their versatile side in Scunthorpe win

Town were without two key defenders in Jordan Turnbull (injured) and Scott Wharton (suspended) while all three new players - Mark Marshall, James Olayinka and Callum Morton - played a part.

Natural full-backs Michael Harriman and Joe Martin filled in at centre-back but Cobblers went marching on with another three points after Vadaine Oliver's brace and penalty for Sam Hoskins, aided somewhat by Kevin van Veen's first-half red card.

"It was a good professional job," said Curle. "We had to mix things up a bit with the injuries and the suspensions we had.

"But the gameplan and the platform we play off doesn't change and that's the pleasing thing for us with the squad we've got.

"People are on the same page and we all understanding the requirements. We played with two full-backs as outside centre-backs.

"They've been unlucky not to have more game-time with the shape we've played but credit to them tonight because they stepped in and showed a good understanding of what was required.

"It was another challenge for us after the cup game and we also added in the new dynamics and the new personnel into the group so it was a positive night.

"Three goals, three points, three new players having an impact and a clean sheet - excellent!"