Injury-ravaged Cobblers dig deep to beat Shrewsbury and claim superb first win of the season

Injury-ravaged Cobblers picked up their first League One victory of the season with a superb backs-to-the-wall 2-1 win at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

Town were missing 10 players due to injury and they had to ride their luck at times, particularly in the first-half, but goals from Mark Marshall and Sam Hoskins earned a terrific smash and grab victory at New Meadow.

Northampton lost three further players to injury before kick-off but overcome those issues to move into a 12th minute lead as Marshall blasted home, although for the next 30 minutes the home side seized almost total control and eventually levelled through Shaun Whalley early in the second-half.

The visitors responded impressively though and hit the front again when Hoskins capitalised on a mix-up at the back, and from then on they defended brilliantly to thwart Shrewsbury and make it four points from their first two games of the season.

This fixture was also notable for the return of fans. Around 1,000 Shrewsbury season ticket holders were in attendance as one of the EFL's seven pilot events taking place around the country.

Ad for the game itself, Keith Curle continued to be besieged by injury problems. Three more names - Luka Racic, Fraser Horsfall and Ricky Korboa - joined the lengthy absentee list, leaving Curle to name a very makeshift team at New Meadow.

He was also forced into a change of shape to 4-4-1-1 as Joe Martin slotted in at centre-half with Joseph Mills left-back while Marshall and Sam Hoskins played out wide.

Such was the extent of Town's problems that five academy players featured on the bench, including Sean Dyche's son Max and fellow 17-year-old Josh Flanagan.

Shrewsbury were also missing players, including Aaron Pierre, and the injury theme continued just 10 seconds into the contest when Benny Ashley-Seal clattered into Salop captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell, who was forced to come off after lengthy treatment.

The loss of their skipper appeared to unsettle Shrewsbury a short period and they were punished when Town took a 12th-minute lead. Joseph Mills latched onto a good header from Hoskins and he got to the byline before drilling in a low cross that Marshall blasted into the roof of the net with a fizzing first-time finish.

Steve Arnold denied Rekeil Pyke one-on-one as Shrewsbury belatedly woke up, and the home side began to dominate possession before turning the screw in the latter stages of the half.

Martin and Mills had to make last-ditch clearances while Jason Cummings curled a shot just wide and Arnold was tested again when beating away Scott Golbourne's long-range drive.

Town suffered yet another injury late in the first-half when Ashley-Seal was forced off with a lower leg problem, replaced by Caleb Chukwuemeka.

The visitors at least got into half-time with their one-goal lead intact but the pattern of play didn't change after the break and Arnold had to be equal to Whalley's fierce hit.

Whalley was on the scoresheet 10 minutes into the second-half, though, as he collected Cummings' pass, cut inside Michael Harriman and let fly with a shot that was too strong for Arnold's left hand.

The game now looked there for the taking for the home side but they eased off the gas somewhat and then a calamitous mix up at the back allowed Town to get back in front. Goalkeeper Matija Sarkic came to deal with Warburton's pass but completely missed his kick and the ball fell to Hoskins who slotted into an empty net.

Sarkic made amends for that howler with a stunning save from Hoskins and he also denied Caleb Chukwuemeka before Mills blasted off target as Town threatened a third goal.

Hoskins' cross-shot floated over Sarkic and hit the post but Shrewsbury were exerting most of the pressure as the clocked ticked into the final 10 minutes.

A couple of balls into the box caused problems but Cian Bolger and Martin, who was outstanding out of position, defended stoutly to keep the hosts at bay and help earn the Cobblers three precious points.

Shrewsbury: Sarkic, Goldbourne, Williams, Fossey (Love 85), Ebanks-Landell (c) (Daniels 6), High, Whalley, Walker, Vela, Cummings, Pyke (Udoh 69)

Subs not used: Burgoyne, Sears,, Rowland Lloyd

Cobblers: Arnold, Harriman, Bolger (c), Martin, Mills, Missilou, Watson, Marshall (Roberts 90), Hoskins, Warburton (Lines 86), Ashley-Seal (Chukwuemeka 44)

Subs not used: Mitchell, Dyche, Josh Flanagan, Johnston

Referee: Neil Hair

Attendance: 1,000