Two up top could be the way forward for Cobblers after Nolan's half-time change inspires comeback win

After a good start at Sixfields, Cobblers fell behind to Rhys Oates’ 19th minute goal and then struggled to regain the early initiative for the rest of the half, forcing Kevin Nolan to switch things up at the break.

Eaves replaced Kyle Edwards and partnered Ethan Wheatley up front and the two were at the heart of a much-improved second half performance as Jack Perkins levelled before Eaves himself scored the winner from the penalty spot.

"Kyle was unlucky to come off but I felt we could affect their back two a lot more than we did in the first half,” explained Nolan afterwards. “We exposed them at times but we could have exposed their back two more than we did.

"The quality into the front players was good all day but Tom coming on allowed Ethan to play alongside somebody and that will help him, no doubt, because he's still a young lad at the start of his career.

"He's done fantastically well for us but it helps to play in tandem with another striker and we can always switch it up. That's something I've wanted to do for a while but we haven't had Tom available and Jack (Vale) also went down injured. But Tom came on and took a couple of defenders away from Ethan and that gave him more space."

Town’s equaliser was an excellent example of the type of wing-back play Nolan wants from his team as Cameron McGeehan flicked on Conor McCarthy’s cross and there was Perkins at the back post to rifle home.

"If you come and watch us in training you'd see we have worked on that every week for the last six months,” Nolan added. “I've been asking for that for a long time. Nesta did it last season against Bristol Roves and we did it again today and there were other opportunities as well.

"Mansfield are a really good side. They've not lost many games and they'll be up there this season so it was another tough game but I firmly believe in my lads because I know they can match anyone in this league on their day.”