Impressive Cobblers stop Salford’s winning run to earn superb point

Elliott Moore’s first goal for the club gave Town a very early lead against the table-toppers and they grew in confidence in an impressive first half performance, perhaps their best of the season given the quality of opposition.

But Cobblers’ strongest period of the game then came at the start of the second half as they completely dominated for a 15-minute spell, so much so you would never have guessed who was top and who was 21st.

They couldn’t quite turn their pressure into a second goal, however, and that always left them vulnerable, and so it turned out as Kallum Cesay stroked home midway through the second half.

Salford would have been expected to go on and win the game but they never really looked like doing so, and if anything it was Town who had the better moments in the closing stages.

While it’s not a win, this is undoubtedly an excellent point and what should be most encouraging is the performance as they more than matched the League Two title favourites.

With first-choice goalkeeper Zach Jeacock injured, Ross Fitzsimons made his first league appearance of the season, and Conor McCarthy started at right centre-back in place of Janoi Donacien, who was one of three players on international duty. Nathan Opoku returned to the bench following injury.

In stark contrast to last week’s FA Cup tie at York, Cobblers flew out of the traps and took just 85 seconds to make the breakthrough. Connor Evans won a free-kick 30 yards out, Lee Evans delivered a good cross which Salford did not deal with before the ball dropped to Moore, who poked into the roof of the net.

Moore was back to the day job to maintain the lead as Salford looked for a quick response, first blocking Dan Udoh’s shot and then getting an important foot in when the hosts broke into the penalty box.

Town, clearly boosted by the early goal, were matching the league leaders and they had another dangerous when Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh worked his way into the box and so nearly picked out Matty Warhurst in the middle before City scrambled clear.

The visitors kept their shape and discipline impressively for most of the first half but a lapse of concentration was almost punished when an unmarked Adebola Oluwo headed Luke Garbutt’s free-kick against the bar, possibly via a touch from Fitzsimons.

But Cobblers were good value for their half-time lead and they continued to take the game to Salford in the second half with Connor Evans firing into the gloves of Will Norris after a smart one-two with Warhurst.

Joe Wormleighton wasn’t too far wide with a 20-yard effort, and another chance fell the away side’s way when Dale drove at the home defence, made space and forced Will Norris into a decent save.

Salford eventually threatened themselves with a couple of long-range shots, but their equaliser on 65 minutes still came somewhat against the run of play. Cobblers lost the ball when attacking and the hosts broke at speed, Dan Udoh scampering away down the left and cutting the ball back for Cesay to convert.

Cobblers came back through Dale, whose shot deflected kindly for Norris, but Salford very much now had the momentum and belief as they chased a winner in the final 20 minutes.

That said, they didn’t really create anything and it was Town who almost snatched victory in the final moments, Elliott List standing up a cross for Connor Evans, whose header was just too close to Norris.

Salford: Norris, Aimson, Odoh (Allen 58), Scarr, Butcher (Woodburn 58), Cesay (Powell 77), Oluwo, Garbutt (c), Wiredu, Langstaff, Udoh (Graydon 77)

Subs not used: Burge, Cooper, Turton

Cobblers: Fitzsimons, McCarthy, Moore, Guthrie (c), Wormleighton, Maxwell, L Evans, C Evans, O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Saunders 80), Dale, Warhurst (List 80)

Subs not used: Dadge, Dyche, Powell, Briggs, Opoku

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance:

Cobblers fans: