Kevin Nolan hoped to push for “as many points as possible” after Northampton eased their League One relegation fears with a 4-0 thrashing at 10-man Peterborough.
The Cobblers ended their four-game winless run by putting Posh to the sword at London Road, opening up a welcome seven-point cushion over the dreaded drop zone.
Sam Hoskins was at the double, while Dara Costelloe and Tom Eaves both also got on the scoresheet for Northampton’s biggest win of the campaign.
The Cobblers overturned their 3-0 reverse to the Posh and Nolan said: “We’ve got five games left and I want to get as many points as possible from these games.
“We can enjoy today but come Tuesday, the focus is on Reading. We’ve been a bit inconsistent and that is something that has to change but the reaction from the players today was terrific.
“The players are spot on and got their rewards.
“After the disappointment of Tuesday (a 2-0 home defeat to Rotherham), they were on it from minute one and set the tone from the word go.
“It’s been a good turnaround. They have listened to what we’ve said and the game plan was executed.
“Sam Hoskins was magnificent. He’s been fantastic since I’ve come in and I’m delighted for him.
“It was nice to see smiles on faces from the fans. They were absolutely fantastic. They got in early and were incredible.”
Posh suffered their first home defeat of 2025 with their first loss in nine on home soil.
And honest boss Darren Ferguson – whose side went down to 10 men in the first half when Tayo Edun saw red again – said: “It’s a horrendous day for us.
“First and foremost, when you play a derby you need to do the basics right. You need to do the horrible side of the game right and we just didn’t do that.
“Everyone will look at the red card, but before that they were well on top. We were second best all over the pitch.
“It’s not one game too far because of the situation we’re in, it can’t be one game too far.
“Today was, whether it was complacency I don’t know, but they looked like they wanted it more than us, which is a damning verdict of me.
“It was complete ill discipline for the red card. I spoke to the guys about discipline before the game and it fell on deaf ears.
“They thoroughly deserved to win. The fourth goal summed it up, we gave a free header to the biggest player on the pitch.
“I made three changes at half-time and it could have been more. I said that to the players.”
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