Frustration for Cobblers as rivals Salford steal victory at Sixfields

Town edged a tight and cagey first-half but fell behind for the fourth game in a row when Salford scored with their first real chance of the afternoon, Ethan Galbraith passing the ball into the bottom corner on the cusp of half-time.

Northampton dominated the second-half but their lack of creativity and cutting edge was again on show, as it was at Walsall in midweek, and they never truly troubled Tom King in the away goal after going behind.

Having been the EFL's top scorers a week ago, Cobblers have now failed to score both of the last two games and will need to fix that issue ahead of tough away games at second-placed Leyton Orient and leaders Stevenage in the next two weeks.

The return of Sam Hoskins from illness was a welcome boost for Jon Brady and he slotted straight back into the team alongside Ali Koiki. Ryan Haynes and Ben Fox dropped out while Louis Appéré was the latest player to come down with illness.

The two teams spent the opening exchanges sizing one another up and waiting for an opening which never materialised.

It did not make for great entertainment and the first 20 minutes duly came and went with hardly anything to write about.

Salford enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession around the midpoint of the first-half and it did end with the best chance of the game up until that point, but it came at the other end where Kieron Bowie’s smart turn and shot was matched by King’s quick reactions.

King was called into action again four minutes later, asked to make a more straightforward save from Hoskins, and he also tipped over Sam Sherring’s back post effort as Cobblers continued to pose the greater threat.

However, the hosts were then hit by a sucker-punch in first-half stoppage-time.

They were caught flat-footed in defence and Ibou Touray reached the byline before cutting the ball back to Galbraith, who side-footed coolly into the bottom corner.

Town could count themselves unfortunate to be behind at half-time but now they had to force the issue and Bowie so nearly levelled in fine style just after the restart, his curling effort whistling a fraction wide of the far post.

Salford changed tack after going ahead and were prepared to sit off and let Cobblers have the ball, knowing full well the onus was on their hosts to make something happen.

Town did have some flashes in and around the penalty box but otherwise they were unable to convert their control of possession into meaningful opportunities, and Salford almost grabbed a second on the break as unmarked substitute Matt Smith headed wide at the back post.

Balls, crosses and long throws were all launched in the direction of the Salford penalty box late on but the visitors defended them all without too much concern as Cobblers drew a blank for the second time in a week.

Match facts

Cobblers: Burge, Lintott (Cross 84), Sherring, Guthrie ©, Koiki, Sowerby (Fox 84), Leonard, Hoskins, Pinnock, Bowie, Hylton (Eppiah 66)

Subs not used: Maxted, Dyche, Odimayo, Haynes

Salford: King, Touray ©, Leak, O’Brien (Eastman 62), Bolton, Gailbraith, Watson, Watt, Vassell, Hendry (Smith 76), Bailey (Lund 90)

Subs not used: Simoes, Chapman, Tolaj, Jenkins

Referee: Lee Swabey

Attendance: 5,577

Salford fans: 107