Holmes comforts for Cobblers
Northampton made it back-to-back wins as they beat Dagenham & Redbridge at Sixfields with Ricky Holmes grabbing the only goal of the game.
The Cobblers were quickly out of the blocks, John-Joe O'Toole had a close-range effort blocked while Ryan Cresswell had a header and neat back-heel cleared off the line in quick succession before heading wide moments later.
The visitors weathered the storm and Rhys Murphy had a chance to break score when he raced clear but his lob over goalkeeper Matt Duke also cleared the crossbar.
Northampton went close again when O'Toole volleyed wide at the end of a good move before the Daggers came into the game as the first half progressed, although without offering a serious threat in the final third.
The Cobblers had another couple of chances before the break, Lawson D'Ath volleyed wide from a good position and Marc Richards headed straight at keeper Mark Cousins.
Top scorer Richards had the ball in the net shortly after the restart but his header was ruled out for offside. The hosts upped the tempo as they looked for the breakthrough and Murphy had another chance when he broke into the box, but he shot straight at Duke.
The deadlock was broken on the hour mark when O'Toole broke down the right and picked out Holmes, who turned inside his marker to find the back of the net via the upright from 15 yards out.
O'Toole went close again moments later when he headed straight at Cousins while Brendan Moloney fired wide from 25 yards. Joel Byrom had a goalbound shot deflected wide and D'Ath hit the bar late on but it was Holmes' goal which proved decisive.
Source: PA
