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.”
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