Hasselbaink happy as 10-man Cobblers battle back for draw

Posted Sunday, March 11, 2018 by PA

Northampton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink praised the character of his side after substitute Kevin Luckassen’s debut goal earned a battling point against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

The Cobblers had to play the last 16 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Matt Crooks was sent off for a second yellow card.

But the visitors held on for a draw after Luckassen’s 62nd-minute header had cancelled out Kyle Bennett’s first-half opener for Rovers, who had beaten Northampton 6-0 and 5-0 in their last two meetings.

Hasselbaink said: “In the end I am happy, although that was certainly not the case in the first half.

“We gave Rovers far too much room and that had to be addressed at half-time. The second half was much better and we were looking likely to win the game when the red card changed things.

“I thought Matt’s first caution was really cheap because there were worse fouls in the game that went unpunished. But when you have a yellow card you are on the edge and need to be careful.

“The referee was poor today and that is not something I like to say. It is an intimidating atmosphere and perhaps that affected him.

“Kevin Luckassen is a strong, powerful player. We need to get him fitter, but the goal will give him confidence and hopefully he can push on from here.”

Signed on Thursday until the end of the season, Dutchman Luckassen, who has played in Scotland for Ross County as well as in several other European countries, was introduced as a 60th-minute replacement for Gboly Ariyibi.

Two minutes later the frontman rose above the Rovers defence to head home Brendan Moloney’s right-wing cross to the far post.

That made it 1-1 after Bennett had netted his first home goal for Rovers in the 34th minute. The midfielder pounced to score from close range after Ellis Harrison’s shot had been saved by Richard O’Donnell.

Rovers might have been further ahead by the time Luckassen levelled. But Northampton were well in the game when Crooks was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Stuart Sinclair, having already been booked.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but O’Donnell saved well from substitute Dominic Telford, while Liam Sercombe and Byron Moore went close.

“It was one of those days for us,” said Rovers boss Darrell Clarke. “We played some really good football in the first half and have ended up very frustrated.

“Certainly we could have shown more quality. But I couldn’t question the effort and attitude of my players.

“We are four points off the play-off places, with a big game at Plymouth coming up next week. That represents another terrific effort from my squad.

“I thought Kyle Bennett caused Northampton a lot of problems playing in the hole and that our midfield diamond was effective.

“We just couldn’t come up with the finishes to match our build-up play.”