Northampton Town 2 - 0 York City: Northampton ease past York to strengthen promotion claims

Northampton took another step towards promotion as they beat lowly York 2-0.

John-Joe O'Toole and Marc Richards were the scorers for the Cobblers, who had to ride out some early pressure.

Kenny McEvoy took advantage of uncertainty in the home defence and when he was denied by Adam Smith, Russell Penn's effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by Lee Martin.

Richards headed well over before Cobblers took a 21st-minute lead when Martin's corner was flicked home at the near post by O'Toole.

York responded well from going behind and Luke Summerfield fired a 25-yard free-kick over the bar. But Richards almost doubled Northampton's advantage when he headed just wide of the far post.

After the restart Kyle Cameron headed wide from a corner as York again began the half well before the game turned against the visitors inside three minutes.

David Winfield's 53rd-minute header was cleared off the line and Ricky Holmes broke away before releasing Richards who cut inside to beat Scott Flinders with a low drive.

Two minutes later Luke Hendrie got a straight red card for a foul on the flying Holmes to leave York with it all to do.

Michael Coulson fired over and wide either side of Hendrie's dismissal as York tried to get back into the contest. Holmes fired wide and Rod McDnald was off target with a late header as Cobblers continued to carve out chances.