Northampton slip to defeat on visit to Shrewsbury Town

Northampton Town were beaten 2-0 on their trip to Shrewsbury Town, in a result that leaves them on one win so far this season.

First half strikes by Kian McMahon-Brown and Kevin Berkoe saw the Shrews take the points, as the Shrews ended up returning to winning ways after back-to-back defeats without scoring.

It was not quite as fun a trip to Shropshire for the Cobblers, who were unable to build on their first win of the season when they beat Newport last time out.

After a week in which Shrewsbury confirmed they are set for a US-led takeover, a side managed by former Brackley boss Gavin Cowan would have early reasons to cheer as they scored after 8 minutes. Home debutant McMahon-Brown scored the opener with a half volley past the reach of Cobblers custodian Zach Jeacock.

Josh Davison nearly made it 2-0 when he shot from range and narrowly missed the target, before Northampton had their best chance when Harvey Saunders was denied from a tight angle by Will Brook.

Brook then denied Saunders again before McMahon-Brown saw a strike bounce off the post as the two sides both strived to find the game’s second goal.

It would be Shrewsbury that landed the second goal of the day, with Berkoe scoring the rebound after an initial header by Davison had been saved.

Northampton struggled to recover from that sucker punch and nearly conceded for a third time in the second half, as George Lloyd saw a strike narrowly miss the target before Jeacock denied McMahon-Brown.

Some chances did fall the Cobblers’ way in the second half, as Owen Dale was twice thwarted by fine saves from Brook, but there was no way back for a side still without a win away so far this campaign.

Northampton will look to bounce back next time out when they welcome Rotherham to Sixfields.