Kamarai Swyer’s beauty was cancelled out by Tommy McDermott, but McCarthy won it with 12 minutes to go. Here are our player ratings from Sixfields...
1. Lee Burge
He was busier than Nolan would have liked but fortunately he did the business when required. Terrific stops from Marquis and Hoole in the first half and then Marquis again in the second. McDermott's finish gave him no chance. Assisted the winner with a perfectly judged, if wind-assisted, free-kick over the Shrews defence... 8 CHRON STAR MAN Photo: Pete Norton
2. Jack Burroughs
The majority of Shrewsbury's best moments in the first half came through Benning and Scully on his side, none more so than when McDermott equalised. Cobblers couldn't get to grips with it. Tightened up after the break and even wore the armband for a period... 6 Photo: Pete Norton
3. Conor McCarthy
Had a good night defensively, though a little unfortunate when his challenge on Marquis ran kindly for McDermott to score, and he popped up with the winner. Not an easy finish at all but he took it very well... 7.5 Photo: Pete Norton
4. Jordan Thorniley
Cobblers were in a back four and perhaps the change of shape, coupled with the awful conditions, unsettled them in the first half because Shrewsbury created several good openings. He did not do a long wrong though, and he also picked out some nice passes between the lines... 6.5 Photo: Pete Norton