Oliver spurred on by Cheltenham's 'arrogance' ahead of second leg fightback

Forward Vadaine Oliver says he was spurred on by Cheltenham's 'arrogance' in the build-up to Monday's play-off semi-final second leg at Whaddon Road when the Cobblers pulled off a miraculous fightback.

The Robins were strong favourites to reach Wembley after winning 2-0 at Sixfields last Thursday, but they were stunned by a wonderful team performance from Northampton.

Oliver scored a crucial early goal before Callum Morton's second-half brace - and the 28-year-old revealed afterwards he was given some extra motivation by the antics of Michael Duff's side.

"It was an unbelievable team performance and that's what we're about," said Oliver. "We showed everyone what we're about.

"They were big-timers and thought they had it won after the first leg but we showed what we're about and we showed our grit and we'll now take that to Wembley."

Asked if he thought Cheltenham were guilty of 'arrogance' ahead of Monday's return game, Oliver said: "Yeah, massively. You could see they were strutting about in the warm-up. They thought they had it won.

"They didn't bank on us coming back and they thought we were defeated but we proved that you can never count us out.

"It 100 per cent motivated me. We knew we weren't at our best in the first leg and we didn't bring our A-game. They defended well but tonight we showed what we're all about.

"We didn't feel they had any trouble to give us on the pitch. They defended very well in the first leg and caught us on the break but tonight it was all us, right from the word go."

Oliver's well-placed header from a superb Nicky Adams cross set Town on their way to victory, although he could have dragged them level before half-time when he nodded another good chance over the bar.

"It was a perfect cross for the first goal and that's what he does - Nicky's the best at it," added Oliver. "He's a pleasure to play with because that's exactly what I want - I want a wide man that puts the ball in the box relentlessly and I just need to get on the end of it.

"Thankfully I did that. As for the missed chance, it was just one of those where I didn't get over it enough. Those chances should be meat and drink to me but, fortunately, we got the two goals we needed and we got the job done."