Opposition view: 'Northampton are brilliant at what they do' - Kennedy reflects on defeat after 'horrible' game

Macclesfield Town manager Mark Kennedy admitted his side struggled to cope with Northampton's 'direct' style of play during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Moss Rose.

The Silkmen were condemned to a rare loss on home territory by Callum Morton's second-half strike as the Cobblers maintained their push for promotion.

"It was a horrible, horrible game for many reasons," said Kennedy. "I knew what to expect coming into the game but I’ll certainly never criticise anybody’s style of play.

"There are a million ways to skin a cat and we have to focus on what we do. That was always going to be a really tough game and I don’t think the elements helped either side.

"They're really direct, really aggressive on set-pieces and throw-ins but they're brilliant at it and good luck to them.

"I’m more disappointed we didn’t get our noses in front because we had a really good chance in the first-half, I’ve been saying that a bit in the last few weeks.

"My overriding emotions are disappointment in the result but really pleased with the effort and commitment from the players, there’s no doubt they’ll run through brick walls and that’s all we can ask from them.

"If you look at our last two games there are many things you can do to stop the style but it’s very difficult when they have a centre-half who takes throw-ins in both halves on both sides of the pitch, putting the ball in the box with good pace and accuracy.

"We talked about not giving away throw-ins, one thing Northampton were fantastic at was not giving us any throw-ins, anything. We didn’t really hurt them in where we wanted the ball to go or get them playing towards their own goal. It’s frustrating.

"We reacted really well to going a goal behind but I’m wondering why it takes us conceding a goal to react like that, that’s good to see but equally it makes me angry to see that."