Curle sees 'good and bad' from Cobblers as McWilliams impresses off the bench

Cobblers boss Keith Curle was given plenty to ponder for both 'good and bad' reasons after his side squeaked past Stevenage via a penalty shoot-out in the Papa John's Trophy on Tuesday.

Town laboured to a goalless draw against the League Two strugglers but prevailed on penalties as Chris Lines, Shaun McWilliams, Caleb Chukwuemeka and Fraser Horsfall all scored from 12 yards.

Curle made only two changes from the team that lost to Accrington in the league, and with a big game at Burton Albion this weekend, the performance has given him decisions to ponder, especially with McWilliams impressing off the bench.

"There's food for thought, both good and bad," he said. "That's the case for every game we play, every training and every time the players perform in front of me. It's an opportunity to stake their claim.

"Shaun came on and did well and gave us a spark. He showed us what he can do and it was his type of game. He scampered around, he got about, landed on second balls and got the ball going forward and that's what Shaun is about.

"I was very tempted to play him in the Oxford City game in the FA Cup but you look at the amount of time he's been out and the training levels that he's been at, it would have been unfair to put him into that game.

"It might take the other lads two or three days to get over it but it would have taken Shaun a bit longer so he's had to wait patiently for his opportunity. But while he has been waiting, the lad has been training well. "

Ricky Holmes lasted 55 minutes on his first start against Stevenage and Lines made a rare appearance as a second-half substitute.

"Ricky did well," added Curle. "He was a bright spark and there were some nice touches. You can see what he's all about but he's still working to get back to where he wants to be and there's more to come from him.

"Chris is available for selection. It's picking the right time to get him back involved and we've got a competitive squad."