McCarthy's late winner secures top spot for Cobblers as Guthrie makes his return in EFL Trophy win over Shrewsbury

Kamarai Swyer scored his third goal in three games in the competition just shy of the half-hour mark and this was the best of the lot, whipping a fabulous effort into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box, but Tommy McDermott quickly replied for the visitors.

Both sides had chances in the second half but Cobblers won it through Conor McCarthy’s neat finish on 78 minutes – assisted by goalkeeper Lee Burge – and that made it three wins from three in the group stage, meaning a home tie for Kevin Nolan’s team when the draw for the first knockout round takes place on Thursday.

The other highlight of the night was the long-awaited return to playing action for skipper Jon Guthrie, who came on to a wonderful ovation with nine minutes remaining, marking his first appearance since New Year’s Day.

Nolan went strong as promised and made only four changes from the weekend with Burge, Elliott List, Swyer and Michael Jacobs, who was skipper for the night, all given an opportunity to impress.

The two Jacks – Burroughs and Perkins – were at full-back in a 4-2-3-1 as List led the line and Jacobs operated in the number 10 role, but the first 20 minutes passed almost entirely without incident as the game started with the typical lethargy of an EFL Trophy tie.

The strong wind and persistent rain did not make life easy for either side but Shrewsbury were first to find their groove and Burge made a couple of excellent saves in quick succession at the midpoint of the first half, tipping John Marquis’ low effort wide before blocking at close quarters from Luca Hoole.

It came pretty much from nowhere when Cobblers took the lead on the half-hour. Little looked on for Swyer when he received the ball from Perkins on the left corner of the penalty box but he made half a yard of space and unleashed a stunning finish into the far corner.

But Shrewsbury were back on level terms before half-time as Conor McCarthy challenged Marquis on the edge of the box and the loose ball ran kindly for McDermott to finish first-time beyond the reach of Burge.

Terry Taylor and Tyrese Fornah both hit the side-netting with efforts in the closing stages of the first half but the contest remained locked at one apiece until well into the second period.

Tom Eaves replaces Jacobs on the hour before Kyle Edwards almost found the far corner with a cross-shot and then Shrewsbury twice went close, Burge denying Marquis again before Anthony Scully curled wide.

The visitors had nothing to lose by going for it as they chased the win that would take them through and a triple substitution with a quarter of the game to go signified their intent.

However, it was Cobblers who struck the decisive blow with 12 minutes to go. Burge’s lifted free-kick from the halfway line floated over the whole of Shrewsbury’s back-line and there was McCarthy to finish with a neat first-time flick.

Moments after the goal came a standing ovation for the returning Guthrie, who made his first appearance in nearly 11 months when replacing Burroughs with nine minutes of normal time remaining.

And Guthrie showed he very much still has it with a fantastic block to divert Hoole’s late goalbound shot away from the target, ending any hope of Shrewsbury getting something out of the game.

Cobblers: Burge, Burroughs (Guthrie 81), McCarthy, Thorniley, Perkins, Taylor, Fornah, Edwards (McGeehan 67), Jacobs © (Eaves 59), Swyer, List

Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Willis, Tomlinson, Evans

Shrewsbury: Brook, Hoole, Benning (Clucas 65), Anderson, Ruffels, Stubbs, Perry (England 80), McDermott (Aneke 66), Sang (Kabia 77), Scully (Lloyd 66), Marquis ©

Subs not used: Gray, Hill

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Attendance: 802

Cobblers fans: 85