Curle pleased with commitment and discipline as Cobblers secure point on the road

Keith Curle was pleased with the 'committed' and 'disciplined' nature of his side's performance during their 1-1 draw against Rochdale on Tuesday.
Stephen Humphrys fires homes Rochdale's late equaliser against the Cobblers (Pictures: Pete Norton)Stephen Humphrys fires homes Rochdale's late equaliser against the Cobblers (Pictures: Pete Norton)
Stephen Humphrys fires homes Rochdale's late equaliser against the Cobblers (Pictures: Pete Norton)

Harry Smith's third goal in two games steered Town in front before the break and it was so nearly enough to clinch a third successive away win in the league.

Although it wasn't to be as Dale salvaged a point courtesy of Stephen Humphrys' superb free-kick five minutes from time, Curle was largely happy with what he saw.

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His side have now lost just one of their past five league matches.

Harry Smith is all smiles after firing the Cobblers into the leadHarry Smith is all smiles after firing the Cobblers into the lead
Harry Smith is all smiles after firing the Cobblers into the lead

"It's a point on the road and that's pleasing," said Curle. "The gameplan was that we knew they would dominate possession of the ball but the important thing for us was to protect our goalkeeper and defend as a unit.

"The pleasing thing to come out of it was that we showed good discipline, good understanding of the shape and also scored a good goal.

"They had dominance of possession and we had dominance at set-pieces and we got the rewards with the goal, but then we turned down a few more chances when we could have put them under more pressure.

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"We nearly won it at the end. I think Harry was expecting to get clattered and win a penalty.

"It wasn't to be but it was a very committed performance and a good away performance.

"It was about our discipline, keeping our shape and being willing to work for each other and we did that.

"They might have had large dominance of the ball but our goalkeeper had two shots to save, one a free-kick and another a deflection."