Emotional Cobblers boss Brady dedicates victory to the memory of Lee Collins

The 32-year-old played 86 times for the Cobblers in more than two years with the club, and was a very close friend of Town assistant boss Marc Richards who played with him at Port Vale and Yeovil, as well as Northampton.

Collins was also a former team-mate of Danny Rose and Town goalscorer Ryan Watson, who dedicated his strike to Collins by raising his black armband to the sky as he celebrated his goal.

There was an emotional minute's silence before kick-off, and Brady admitted it had been a very tough couple of days following the tragic news, and was fighting back the tears in his post-match interview at the PTS Academy Stadium on Good Friday.

"This has been a bit of an emotional couple of days," said Brady.

Asked if the win was for Collins as much as it was for the Cobblers, he added: "Yes, it definitely was.

"My assistant, Marc, Lee was his best mate, and it hurt Marc a lot. He had spoken to him through the week.

"We had some conversations through the night and this morning, and it is tough to take."

On Watson dedicating his goal to Collins, Brady said: "It was amazing, and what a tribute.

"I didn't know Lee, but from what I have heard and from what people have told me, what Marc has told me, he was a true captain and the selflessness that he gave to his team-mates and players was amazing.

"So that's for him today."

The win was a very important one for the Cobblers, who are up to 19th in Sky Bet League One after defeats for all of their relegation rivals.