Northampton come from behind to record victory against Mansfield Town

Northampton Town beat Mansfield Town 2-1 at Sixfields after coming from behind to win the League One contest.

Rhys Oates had put the Stags in front, but second half goals by Jack Perkins and Tom Eaves turned the game on its head, and Kevin Nolan’s side would duly get the job done to win the match.

The result handed a boost to the Cobblers, who had lost their previous three outings in league and FA Cup. After 15 games, Nolan’s side have 20 points in the third tier, which has them sat 13th in the table. They are 5 points off the play-offs and 5 points clear of the relegation zone.

Seeking a reaction after being on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset at League Two Oldham last time out, Northampton had started brightly. Jordan Thorniley saw a header from Terry Taylor’s corner just go wide before former Cobblers keeper Liam Roberts denied Cameron McGeehan at close range.

But although the hosts had early chances, Northampton fell behind after 18 minutes. Will Evans’ pass released Oates, who saw a strike from the edge of the penalty area fly into the bottom corner.

Mansfield could’ve struck for a second time in the latter stages of the first half, with Stephen McLaughlin’s header both narrowly missing the target and failing to sit for the visitors’ George Maris to tap in.

Northampton picked up after the break and they scored to make it 1-1 8 minutes into the half. Conor McCarthy’s cross found McGeehan, who flicked on for Perkins to head home and bring the Cobblers back level.

Mansfield were close to retaking the lead when Maris, who replaced former Cobbler Tyler Roberts, was able to have a shot that only just narrowly missed the target.

But it would be Northampton that scored the game’s third goal. Frazer Blake-Tracy fouled Ethan Wheatley in the box, and from the penalty spot, home sub Eaves beat Roberts to put Northampton in front for the first time in the afternoon.

Lucas Akins headed straight at Ross Fitzsimons in the away side’s best chance for a leveller, while during nine minutes of stoppage time, the best chances fell for the home side as Wheatley fired wide before Roberts denied late Cobblers sub Elliot List.

But the home side did the job, as Northampton picked up the three points to return to winning ways after recent misfortune.

The Cobblers will now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy, when they welcome Shrewsbury to Sixfields, while with their next league game at Barnsley postponed due to international call-ups, Northampton’s next league assignment sees them host Cardiff on November 22nd.