First Cobblers goal is a 'special' moment for Marshall

Scoring his first goal in Cobblers colours at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday was a 'special' moment for winger Mark Marshall.

The 33-year-old, making his 11th appearance for the club since signing in January, has mostly played at wing-back in his time at Northampton but was restored to a wide midfield role at New Meadow as Keith Curle changed formation to a flat back four.

The switch did the trick for Marshall when he met Joseph Mills' low cross on 12 minutes and fizzed a fine first-time finish into the roof of the net.

"I caught it sweetly and it flew in," he said. "I'm just happy to have contributed to the victory.

"I've probably scored better goals but any goal I score feels special because I don't get too many! I was just happy to connect with it so well and the main thing is that the team got a victory so we can go back to Northampton smiling!"

Curle was forced into changing his system to compensate for the loss of 12 players to injury, but with Sam Hoskins on target in the second-half, Cobblers ground out an impressive victory.

"I think it shows our strength-in-depth and our spirit to come away from home and get three points at a good team like Shrewsbury - it can only be a good thing," added Marshall.

"It's testament to all my team-mates and the gaffer for setting us up how he did, but there's strong competition for places and that's what you want because for the boys who are sitting at home, it makes them eager to get back.

"The manager has brought in the right characters and we've shown good fight and we're gelling well together. We have to keep showing that spirit and that belief going forward because we'll face a lot of tough opponents this season.

"But people will put in better performances if there's strong competition and I think we showed a lot of fight and a lot of quality and that ultimately won us the game."

Marshall was limping when he did media duties after Saturday's game following a strong challenge by Scott High.

"It was the challenge in the second-half when he went through on me with his studs," said Marshall.

"During the game you can kind of running it off but now that things have settled down, it's hurting a bit but I don't think it's anything serious."