Personnel dictated Cobblers' formation switch at Fleetwood

Fraser Horsfall made his first start in over a month on Tuesday.

The personnel available to him on the night dictated Keith Curle's decision to go back to a three-man defence for Tuesday's goalless draw at Fleetwood Town.

With Mickel Miller and Jack Sowerby absent, Curle recalled Fraser Horsfall for the team and started new signing Peter Kioso at right wing-back, with Joseph Mills on the left.

Danny Rose also started up front alongside Ryan Edmondson and both men missed good chances as Town were held to a goalless draw.

"It's about our personnel and giving us a platform and a base to work from, which is vitally important when you're trying to build confidence and momentum," said Curle.

"Some coaches may to choose to start from the front but I start from having a platform and I back my goalkeeper and I back my three defenders and my two wing-backs.

"We've all been waiting for Millsy to come back because he had a long period of time out and has come back playing Saturday and Tuesday. It made it easier at wing-back when he knows he has another man alongside him.

"We wanted to utilise his left foot and his experience for as long as we could so it was pleasing to get Millsy through another good bank of minutes.

"It was good to get Fraser back involved. A clean sheet away from home is a starting point and we got more on the front foot the more the game went on."

Town dominated the final 20 minutes at Fleetwood and had several half chances to grab the win, with Ricky Korboa and Ryan Watson both doing well off the bench.

"I thought the subs made a very good impact," Curle added. "Ricky had a couple of shots and Ryan took a few shots as well and Benny (Ashley-Seal) linked play up when he came on.

"That's very important and also Fraser came in. He's been champing at the bit and he's been frustrated but he's come in and put in a performance. As a defender, to come in and keep a clean sheet, it ticks another box."