Opposition view: Hurst claims Grimsby 'deserved to win' against Cobblers

Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst felt his side did enough to claim all three points against Northampton on Saturday.

A sluggish, low-key affair appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw when Sam Hoskins fired the Cobblers ahead with an excellent finish 16 minutes from time.

The Mariners had struggled to create many clear-cut chances up until then but they lay siege Town’s goal in the closing stages and eventually found a way through thanks to Jordan Maguire-Drew’s 88th-minute leveller.

"I thought we were the better team and deserved to win,” said Hurst. “Credit to the players because we had to wait a long time for the equaliser. The substitutes made an impact and helped lift the crowd.

"I spoke last week about being disappointed with the reaction and the subs not really having an impact but today it was much better. Our first point on the board. I’m pleased in one sense, frustrated in another.

“Overall though, if that is a team that is going to be up there again, then hopefully this result and performance will bode well for us. We had a few good chances before the first goal and I did fear it would be another one of those days after they scored.

“Our goal was relatively straightforward, thankfully Jordan was there to tap the ball home after some great work from Brenden Kiernan who we had moved up top. I thought we were the ones pushing in the end for the winner and we were quite organised at the back when in those late situations it can get quite messy. If the game had gone on a little longer we might’ve got that winner.

“They changed to a back three which helped us in a way late one when we were able to go with four up top to pin their wing-backs back and maintain the pressure.”