Northampton manager Kevin Nolan felt his side deserved all three points as they were denied by a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Exeter.
On-loan Burnley striker Dara Costelloe grabbed his second goal in just his fourth appearance for the Cobblers shortly before half-time, but substitute Sonny Cox rescued a point for Exeter three minutes from time with his first goal in almost a year.
“Naturally I am disappointed because I think for 75 minutes we dominated that game, but it is another point and one that we have taken off another team around us,” Nolan said.
“All the lads we signed in January have contributed and it was another goal and another really good performance from Dara, but I thought it was just a solid all-round performance. For 75 minutes, we were the better team and then they made their changes and you have to give them credit for going to the end and getting an equaliser.
“Exeter have been away (in Spain) and had a week to prepare for this game, but I think we have come here and dominated for the majority of the game, but they went to the end and got a late equaliser.
“If we keep doing what we are doing, I am sure we will get those moments where we get a result when we perhaps don’t deserve one.
“I am really pleased with so much of it, I am just a bit disappointed because we deserved the three points in my eyes.”
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell praised his players for digging in and said their team ethic earned them a point in a match that lacked quality.
“I thought the players deserve a lot of credit for hanging in,” Caldwell said. “It wasn’t a great game, the pitch wasn’t great either and that suited them, but the players hung in and the finishers were outstanding.
“We spoke about being ‘team first’ in our week away and I thought they showed that today. The starters did their bit and the finishers came on and managed to get the point for us in the end.
“We couldn’t get going or any rhythm in the game, we couldn’t get three or four passes going and find an overload, but the players don’t trust the pitch and we had to adapt. When we adjusted and went with two number nines (Cox and Josh Magennis), we were better and that allowed us to have more control of the game.
“The togetherness and the work ethic was outstanding and that is what got us the result today. As I said, team first and everyone will have a part to play this season, but now we have to put this one to bed and all my focus now is on Reading on Tuesday.”
Burnley boss Scott Parker never doubted his players would maintain their intensity despite promotion having already been achieved.The Clarets emphatically boosted their Sky Bet Championship title hopes by hammering QPR 5-0 in their penultimate match of the season.It moved them to the top of the table, three points ahead of Leeds, although the Yorkshire side, who are at home to Bristol City on Mond...
Darren Moore could not hide his pride at steering Port Vale back into League One following a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.Two second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley sealed an immediate return to the third tier for the Vale Park outfit.As players and fans alike celebrated in the away end, Moore reflected on the achievement – and admitted his focus in this match was on gaining...
Richie Wellens felt the overall display from his Leyton Orient team was excellent in their 1-0 victory over Wycombe.Orient took another step towards the play-offs after Randell Williams’ second-half header proved the difference at Brisbane Road.It was Orient’s fifth successive win and they now travel to Huddersfield next Saturday knowing that, with their superior goal difference, they ...
Notts County all-but guaranteed their place in the League Two play-offs courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Harrogate.The Magpies ended their four-match winless run thanks to Conor Grant’s second-half brace, leaving them fifth in the table and six points clear of eighth-placed Colchester.County took the lead in the 33rd minute when George Abbott fired home after David McGoldrick’s initial eff...
Luton climbed out of the Championship bottom three for the first time since January thanks to Shandon Baptiste’s 90th-minute goal as they beat play-off chasing Coventry 1-0.The Hatters looked like they would go to West Brom next weekend with their destiny definitely out of their own hands, only for Baptiste, who had been on the field for just 11 minutes, to find the net and lift the roof off...
Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...
Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...
Reading’s hunt for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot will go to the final day of the season after the Royals beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation after Noel Hunt’s side had to survive a first-half onslaught from the hosts....
Jamie Andrews struck a late equaliser as Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh in the National League.Tyrese Shade put the visitors in front after 14 minutes, played in on goal by Ben Close before finding the bottom corner of the net.Woking then drew level three minutes before the break when Aiden O’Brien headed in from Jacob Jones’ free-kick.Shade had Eastleigh back...
Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cros...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola fumes over point claimed at 10-man Crystal Palace
- 10 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest