Opposition view: Coleman praises Cobblers and accepts draw was fair - but felt Accy were denied a spot-kick

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman praised Northampton and accepted a draw was 'a fair result' after Saturday's stalemate at the Wham Stadium.

Coming off a 6-1 thrashing over Bristol Rovers in midweek, Accy found it much harder against an improved Cobblers team on a wet and windy afternoon in Lancashire.

Town enjoyed the better of it in the first-half but failed to end their goal drought before the teams cancelled each other out in an even second 45 minutes. The hosts lost Joe Pritchard to a red card but that came too late to make a difference.

Such was Coleman's frustration with his side's first-half performance, he felt the need to make a tactical substitution after just 27 minutes. He also thought they could have won a second-half penalty for a challenge on Pritchard.

"Northampton came with a game plan and I thought they played well," admitted Coleman. "In the first-half they gave us quite a few problems and we had to make a tactical change.

"We felt we needed to get a little bit more height and I think that worked because it limited their chances. They might have had one after that and a couple of sporadic attacks in the second-half.

"In the end, that could be a point gained. I don't think we can complain about the result and I don't have any problem with the red card, but I certainly felt we had a good shout for a penalty. Some teams at the top have had a few penalties this season but it seems to be a long time since we had one.

"We had a good spell for 15 or 20 minutes in the second-half and created a few chances but the game settled down and I think if we look at it overall, it was a fair result.

"The rain and the pitch didn't help. It made it difficult for us but that's not making any excuses. We played some good football, they played some good football and I think both teams had a go and tried to win it.

"Northampton are no mugs and they showed that today. Both managers should be pleased with the effort and the endeavour put in."