Jordan Lyden’s first Swindon goal and spectacular goalkeeping by Steven Benda secured Swindon Town’s first victory at Sixfields since 2011.
The Robins came into the match without an away win since the last minute 2-1 victory against Plymouth, and also without manager Richie Wellens who did not travel due to illness.
But, Lyden arrived late in the box in the 77th minute to head home from close range, to ensure his manager felt a lot better, and to give the Robins a vital victory.
His goalkeeping team-mate, Benda, made three terrific saves, particularly a flying save from a point blank header from Charlie Goode at the tail end of the second half to ensure Town travel back to Swindon with a clean sheet and the victory.
First Half
Town endured a difficult start to the game as Northampton started the stronger of the two sides.
Mark Marshall nearly scored, after he received the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area, and drove a ferocious low shot towards the far corner, but he was denied by a spectacular low save by Steven Benda
The Big German got down frighteningly quick to claw the ball past the far post, before it was eventually cleared.
Eoin Doyle scored a last minute winner in Town’s previous away win against Plymouth, and he unsurprisingly looked the most likely goal-scorer for the Robins in the early stages.
The Irishman held the ball up well and created some decent half chances, which needed to be saved by Northampton goalkeeper David Cornell.
Unfortunately for the Robins, Paul Caddis’ evening was cut short after pulling up just past the half an hour mark, and was substituted for Tom Broadbent.
Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams then combined, somewhat unintentionally, and came close to giving the home side the lead. .
Williams was inches away from latching onto a Hoskins volley but the ball bounced over Rarmani Edmonds-Green and went just wide of the goal.
As the first-half entered its closing stages, the ball bounced up kindly for Hoskins to hit first time again.
This time his connection was pure and the ball arrowed towards the top corner and through a crowd of players, but Benda got two strong hands on the effort, despite seeing it very late.
Second Half
Both sides came close to scoring in the early stages of the second period.
Michael Doughty’s fizzing low corner travelled through everybody in the box, but fell to the unsuspecting Edonds-Green, who managed to hook the ball towards goal, but into Cornell’s arms.
Seconds later Andy Williams received a cut back on the edge of the box, but he leaned back as he struck the ball and sent it flying over the bar.
15 minutes into the second half and the Robins had two great opportunities to score.
Michael Doughty rounded Cornell on the left hand side of the area and found Diallang Jaiyesimi on the six yard box, but the winger could not get his toe on the ball.
Lloyd Isgrove was a constant irritation to the Cobblers’ defence, running in behind and stretching the back four on a regular basis.
The winger got in behind and cut the ball back for Diallang Jaiyesimi, but the midfielder’s connection let him down and the ball went wide of the goal.
Jordan Lyden came to the rescue for the Robins, making an excellent, last-ditch tackle to prevent Williams from scoring when the striker had the goal at his mercy.
Lyden was the hero again, this time at the other end of the pitch.
Eoin Doyle sped down the left flank and lofted a delightful cross to the back-post which was met by the on-rushing midfielder who headed past Cornell to score his first goal for Swindon.
Kaiyne Woolery came on for Isgrove who had ran himself into the ground, but the substitute ensured the home side’s defence had no time to rest.
Woolery ran at the back four before driving down the outside, testing Cornell with a strong effort into the near post.
Benda’s giant wingspan was again needed to keep the home side out.
This time Charlie Goode got his head to an out-swinging Nicky Adams free-kick and directed the ball towards the top left hand corner, however Benda flew through the air and tipped the ball over with his fingertips.
Jerry Yates hit the cross bar in the dying stages, however it did not matter as the Reds held on to secure a vital three points.
