Northampton v Port Vale

Northampton 1

Akinfenwa 81′

Port Vale 2

McCombe 4′ Rigg 58′

FT 90 +5
HT 0-1

Northampton 1-2 Port Vale

Port Vale scored a goal in each half to maintain their League Two play-off bid with victory at Northampton.

John McCombe put Vale ahead early on when he headed Doug Loft's cross in at the far post.

Matt Duke produced two fine saves to keep the Cobblers in the game but Sean Rigg doubled the hosts' advantage when he rounded Duke to slot the ball home.

Adebayo Akinfenwa finished from close range for the hosts after good work from substitute Jake Robinson.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOMS

Northampton Town manager Aidy Boothroyd told BBC Radio Northampton:

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"Well I think we got what we deserved. You can't play any fixture in any league and only start playing with 15 minutes to go.

"I though that from the start they played at League Two match pace and we played at testimonial pace.

"We knew how to deal with them but we didn't stick to the game-plan. We were powder-puff too often and when you're like that you don't win."

Port Vale manager Micky Adams told BBC Radio Stoke:

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"First half we were terrific, their keeper had to make some great saves to stop them from going in two or three goals down.

"I can't say the transfer embargo has been easy but I've seen it all before, I'm not a young manager who's never seen anything or is phased by it.

"My focus is trying to keep the players away from it as best I can and try to keep them focused on getting results."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Northampton

33 Duke
14 Johnson
25 Carlisle
28 Langmead
29 Adams
17 Jacobs
22 Guttridge Booked
24 Silva (Tozer - 61' )
27 Harding Booked
09 Williams (Robinson - 73' )
10 Akinfenwa

Substitutes

13 Kitson
05 Tozer
06 Webster
02 Young
08 Robinson

Port Vale

12 Tomlinson
05 McCombe
25 McDonald
03 Taylor
04 Griffith Booked
07 Loft Booked
14 Marshall (Morsy - 78' )
17 Rigg (Williamson - 88' )
20 Shuker (Owen - 82' )
08 Dodds
09 Richards

Substitutes

01 Martin
06 Owen
18 Morsy
21 James
19 Williamson

Ref: Ward

Att: 5,803

Match Stats

Possession 53 47

Shots

3 6

On target

2 4

Corners

8 4

Fouls

15 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:12 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +1:10

Foul by Luke Guttridge on Anthony Griffith, free kick awarded. Stuart Tomlinson takes the free kick.

88:19

Unfair challenge on John McCombe by Kelvin Langmead results in a free kick. Stuart Tomlinson restarts play with the free kick.

87:22 Substitution

Substitution Ben Williamson on for Sean Rigg.

86:35

Inswinging corner taken by Ben Harding, Clayton McDonald makes a clearance.

86:09

Ben Harding fouled by Doug Loft, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Jacobs takes the free kick.

84:36

Luke Guttridge challenges Anthony Griffith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Clayton McDonald takes the direct free kick.

82:34

Corner taken by Michael Jacobs from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Clayton McDonald.

81:52 Substitution

Substitution Gareth Owen is brought on as a substitute for Chris Shuker.

80:41

Jake Robinson provided the assist for the goal.

80:41 Goal scored

Goal - Adebayo Akinfenwa - Northamp'n 1 - 2 Port Vale Adebayo Akinfenwa grabs a goal from inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Northampton 1-2 Port Vale.

78:49

The official flags Sean Rigg offside. Indirect free kick taken by Matt Duke.

78:16

Jake Robinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Robert Taylor. Chris Shuker takes the free kick.

77:39 Substitution

Substitution Paul Marshall goes off and Sam Morsy comes on.

74:05

Michael Jacobs restarts play with the free kick. Inswinging corner taken by Ben Harding.

74:05 Booking

Booking Doug Loft booked.

73:42

Doug Loft concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Guttridge.

72:21

Matt Duke takes the indirect free kick.

72:21 Substitution

Substitution Brett Williams goes off and Jake Robinson comes on.

72:21

The official flags Marc Richards offside.

68:18

Effort on goal by Adebayo Akinfenwa from 20 yards. Inswinging corner taken by Ben Harding from the right by-line, clearance made by John McCombe. Corner taken by Michael Jacobs from the left by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Adebayo Akinfenwa on Stuart Tomlinson. Stuart Tomlinson takes the indirect free kick. Blocked by Robert Taylor.

67:38

Louis Dodds challenges Ben Harding unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Clarke Carlisle.

65:11

The official flags Marc Richards offside. Free kick taken by Matt Duke.

60:21 Substitution

Substitution Ben Tozer joins the action as a substitute, replacing Toni Brito Silva.

57:51 Goal scored

Goal - Sean Rigg - Northamp'n 0 - 2 Port Vale A goal is scored by Sean Rigg from inside the area low into the middle of the goal. Northampton 0-2 Port Vale.