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  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: Sixfields Stadium
  • Attendance: 5012
  • Referee: Hegley, G

Live Commentary

90 mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

85 mins

Dave Bird is being taken off, Craig Reid has come on in his place.

83 mins

Northampton are replacing Alex Russell with Joe Burnell.

80 mins

Goal!! Ryan Gilligan scores for Northampton.

78 mins

Cheltenham are replacing Damian Spencer with Andy Lindegaard.

72 mins

Jennison Myrie-Williams is being taken off, Ashley Vincent has come on in his place.

71 mins

Northampton are replacing Daniel Jones with Danny Jackman.

71 mins

Poul Hubertz is replaced by Ryan Gilligan.

50 mins

Goal!! Damian Spencer scores for Cheltenham.

46 mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.

45 mins

Half time whistle is blown by G Hegley

31 mins

John Finnigan is booked for unsporting behaviour.

22 mins

Goal!! Andy Kirk scores for Northampton.

0 mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

What a difference a year makes for Northampton supporters. Twelve months ago the Cobblers were still seeking a first home success of the season, but after this victory over the struggling Robins, they have now won four on the trot at Sixfields.

Goals by leading scorer Andy Kirk and a late winner from substitute Ryan Gilligan meant that Damian Spencer's second-half header counted for little and left caretaker manager Keith Downing cursing his luck as Cheltenham have now gone seven matches without a win.

Kirk set the ball rolling in the 22nd minute when he turned sharply in the box to fire a shot past Shane Higgs and Northampton should have cashed in on early dominance to make the game safe by half-time.

Kirk's strike partner, Poul Hubertz, was returning to the side after suspension and he was denied when Higgs rushed from his goal to bravely save, while only a tremendous last-ditch tackle by Dave Bird in the 32nd minute denied Andy Holt the chance of making it 2-0.

Cheltenham rallied as the interval approached and Jennison Myrie-Williams, on loan from Bristol City, tested Mark Bunn from the edge of the box, while a Spencer header, following a cross from Paul Connor, dropped only inches wide with Bunn watching helplessly.

But Spencer had better luck five minutes after the re-start when he timed a late run into the box to perfection to meet a superb deep cross from former Aston Villa stalwart Alan Wright, Spencer heading into the top corner.

Cheltenham could even have gone in front when Spencer teed up John Finnigan in front of goal, only for the midfielder to miskick, before seconds later heading wide at the near post.

Northampton almost regained the lead with a left-foot blast from Bradley Johnson which screamed into the sidenetting, while Hubertz was inches away from scoring with 20 minutes left when he placed a careful header wide of the target from a Jason Crowe centre.

If the home side were starting to lose faith, their frustration was ended by substitute Gilligan's sweetly struck half-volley from the edge of the box in the 80th minute after Cheltenham could only half clear a long throw from Holt.

Northampton Town Team

Cheltenham Town Team

Northampton Town

Cheltenham Town

Corners

9 7

Fouls

8 9

Goal attempts

22 11

Shots off target

7 3

Offsides

3 2

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