Northampton stretch unbeaten run to five games

Posted Sunday, March 03, 2019 by PA

First-half goals from Daniel Powell and John-Joe O’Toole extended Northampton’s unbeaten run to five games in Sky Bet League Two with a 2-0 success at Crewe.

Powell and O’Toole struck inside four minutes as Crewe’s impressive recent run faded, slipping to their second consecutive home defeat.

The Railwaymen failed to make the most of an early breakaway when Callum Ainley’s cross was diverted into the path of Jordan Bowery, but the frontman hoisted high and wide from six yards.

Crewe were under pressure when skipper George Ray headed over his own goalmouth but the defender dug himself out of a hole by clearing O’Toole’s volley off the line.

The defensive jitters were evident, however, when Powell followed in to head home from close range in the 28th minute after Marvin Sordell’s effort flew up off the turf .

Four minutes later Powell then turned provider with a smart delivery from the right which was volleyed in at the near post by O’Toole.

Northampton could have scored more after the restart, with Charlie Goode dropping a volley onto the roof of the net and O’Toole flashing a header wide.

Crewe lacked invention and while a Bowery shot flew over the top corner and late efforts from Ainley and Chris Porter were both saved well by David Cornell, it was all too late in the day.