Northampton climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to a brace from Adebayo Akinfenwa against Aldershot.

The Cobblers took the lead when Ben Tozer's long throw-in was helped on by Akinfenwa and defender Kelvin Langmead volleyed home.

Another Tozer long throw was headed in by Akinfenwa, who scored his second from the penalty spot after Michael Jacobs had been tripped by Josh Payne.

Danny Hylton grabbed a consolation in stoppage time for the Shots.

Luke Guttridge played for Northampton after manager Aidy Boothroyd had threatened to fine him if he refused to play against his former club.

The midfielder, who was released by Aldershot to join the Cobblers in January, had a "gentleman's agreement" with Shots boss Dean Holdsworth that he would not play against them this season.

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Aldershot boss Dean Holdsworth told BBC Surrey:

"Northampton had the desire to get on the end of two long throws and they got their rewards for their set pieces. Our inability to deal with two set-pieces was poor.

"Tactics, methods and systems go out the window when a bloke can throw a ball into the box and we can't deal with it. I'm disappointed and the players know it.

"My biggest concern is, is this team going to take us to another level, which is what I want? Are the players able to do that? I'm looking for the players to tell me they can stay here and be part of something."

Northampton Town manager Aidy Boothroyd told BBC Radio Northampton:

"I thought it was a comprehensive performance. I thought we looked very strong and very organised.

"I thought we mixed up our game really well. We got what we deserved.

"We've still got lots to do, I'm under no illusions, but I'm really pleased with the result."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Northampton

  • 33 Duke
  • 05 Tozer
  • 14 Johnson
  • 25 Carlisle
  • 28 Langmead
  • 29 Adams
  • 17 Jacobs (Young - 73' )
  • 22 Guttridge
  • 24 Silva (Robinson - 82' Booked )
  • 27 Harding
  • 10 Akinfenwa (Williams - 59' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Kitson
  • 06 Webster
  • 02 Young
  • 08 Robinson
  • 09 Williams

Aldershot Town

  • 01 Young
  • 02 Herd (Mekki - 41' )
  • 03 Straker
  • 05 Jones
  • 15 Morris
  • 23 Vincenti (Murphy - 82' )
  • 36 Bradley Booked
  • 25 Smith (Doughty - 58' )
  • 40 Payne
  • 10 Hylton Booked
  • 27 Madjo

Substitutes

  • 31 Clement
  • 16 Murphy
  • 17 Mekki
  • 32 Doughty
  • 38 Risser
Ref: Haines
Att: 5,071

Match Stats

Shots

12 13

On target

5 6

Corners

6 4

Fouls

7 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +10:05 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

90:00 +3:37 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Hylton - Northamp'n 3 - 1 Aldershot Danny Hylton finds the back of the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Northampton 3-1 Aldershot.

90:00 +3:17

Shot from 20 yards from Michael Doughty. Matt Duke makes a save.

90:00 +1:49

Corner taken right-footed by Adam Mekki.

90:00 +0:27

Darren Murphy takes a shot. Save by Matt Duke.

89:56 Booking

Booking The referee shows Jake Robinson a yellow card.

89:29

Shot from 30 yards by Luke Guttridge. Save made by Jamie Young.

89:23

The ball is sent over by Lewis Young, Aaron Morris manages to make a clearance.

88:25

Inswinging corner taken by Michael Doughty from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Blair Adams.

86:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Sonny Bradley on Brett Williams. Lewis Young takes the indirect free kick.

85:42

Michael Doughty takes a shot. Save by Matt Duke.

83:44

Effort on goal by Danny Hylton from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.

81:54 Substitution

Substitution Peter Vincenti goes off and Darren Murphy comes on.

81:54 Substitution

Substitution Jake Robinson on for Toni Brito Silva.

80:34

Ben Tozer crosses the ball.

79:46

The ball is sent over by Blair Adams, Sonny Bradley makes a clearance.

79:05

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Danny Hylton goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

78:54

The ball is delivered by Josh Payne, Matt Duke makes a save.

78:23

Toni Brito Silva is penalised for a handball. Indirect free kick taken by Anthony Straker.

76:48

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ben Harding, save by Jamie Young.

75:20

Luke Guttridge gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Mekki. Shot comes in from Josh Payne from the free kick.

73:17

Centre by Peter Vincenti, Matt Duke makes a save.

72:32 Substitution

Substitution (Northampton) makes a substitution, with Lewis Young coming on for Michael Jacobs.

71:55

The referee blows for offside against Danny Hylton. Indirect free kick taken by Matt Duke.

71:26

Adam Mekki produces a cross.

69:02

Shot by Adam Mekki from outside the box goes high over the crossbar.

67:57

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ben Harding played to the near post, save by Jamie Young.

65:55

Toni Brito Silva takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Young. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ben Harding from the right by-line to the near post, Jamie Young makes a save.

62:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Hylton by Clarke Carlisle. Michael Doughty crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Kelvin Langmead manages to make a clearance.

60:42

Ben Harding takes the inswinging corner, Jamie Young makes a save.

59:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Brett Williams by Darren Jones. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Ben Harding.

58:09 Substitution

Substitution Brett Williams is brought on as a substitute for Adebayo Akinfenwa.

58:09

Unfair challenge on Josh Payne by Luke Guttridge results in a free kick. Aaron Morris restarts play with the free kick.

57:24 Substitution

Substitution Ben Smith leaves the field to be replaced by Michael Doughty.

56:55 Goal scored

Goal - Adebayo Akinfenwa - Northamp'n 3 - 0 Aldershot Penalty taken right-footed by Adebayo Akinfenwa and scored. Northampton 3-0 Aldershot.

55:36

Unfair challenge on Michael Jacobs by Josh Payne results in a Penalty.

50:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Peter Vincenti on John Johnson. Ben Harding crosses the ball in from the free kick.

49:22

Josh Payne takes a shot. Blocked by Blair Adams.

48:58

Handball decision goes against Luke Guttridge. Free kick taken by Anthony Straker.

48:10

Headed effort from deep inside the area by Clarke Carlisle misses to the right of the goal.

47:13

Josh Payne has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.

46:25

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Mekki by Ben Tozer. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Ben Smith from right channel, Kelvin Langmead manages to make a clearance.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +3:45 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +2:59

Ben Harding sends in a cross, Luke Guttridge takes a shot.

45:00 +2:03

Michael Jacobs delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel.

45:00 +2:03 Booking

Booking Danny Hylton is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

45:00 +1:59

Danny Hylton concedes a free kick for a foul on Toni Brito Silva.

45:00 +1:22

Handball by Danny Hylton. Clarke Carlisle takes the indirect free kick.

45:00 +0:17

Luke Guttridge takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

44:40 Booking

Booking Sonny Bradley goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

44:34

Sonny Bradley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ben Tozer. Free kick taken by Matt Duke.

43:50

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ben Smith, clearance by Ben Tozer.

40:55

The assistant referee signals for offside against Guy Madjo. Matt Duke restarts play with the free kick.

40:23 Substitution

Substitution Adam Mekki on for Ben Herd.

39:14

The assist for the goal came from Ben Tozer.

39:14 Goal scored

Goal - Adebayo Akinfenwa - Northamp'n 2 - 0 Aldershot Adebayo Akinfenwa scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Northampton 2-0 Aldershot.

34:49

A cross is delivered by Anthony Straker.

31:13

Aaron Morris takes a shot from 25 yards.

30:02

Effort on goal by Toni Brito Silva from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

28:51

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Matt Duke.

28:22

Long range effort by John Johnson goes wide right of the net.

27:08

The ball is delivered by Ben Smith, clearance made by John Johnson.

27:01

The ball is sent over by Ben Smith, Clarke Carlisle makes a clearance.

24:25

Sonny Bradley fouled by Adebayo Akinfenwa, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Young takes the free kick. Ben Smith takes a shot from 12 yards. Matt Duke makes a save.

23:54

Guy Madjo is caught offside. Matt Duke restarts play with the free kick.

22:19

Foul by Aaron Morris on John Johnson, free kick awarded. Clarke Carlisle restarts play with the free kick.

21:33

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Michael Jacobs played to the near post, Ben Smith manages to make a clearance.

20:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Toni Brito Silva by Anthony Straker. Free kick taken by Clarke Carlisle.

19:50

Josh Payne produces a cross, blocked by Michael Jacobs. Outswinging corner taken by Ben Smith from the right by-line, Clarke Carlisle manages to make a clearance.

18:12

The assist for the goal came from Clarke Carlisle.

18:12 Goal scored

Goal - Kelvin Langmead - Northamp'n 1 - 0 Aldershot Goal scored by Kelvin Langmead from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Northampton 1-0 Aldershot.

16:26

Michael Jacobs takes a shot. Blocked by Anthony Straker. Ben Tozer has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

14:41

Aaron Morris produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

13:33

Adebayo Akinfenwa challenges Darren Jones unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jamie Young.

9:00

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Michael Jacobs.

7:47

Foul by Sonny Bradley on Adebayo Akinfenwa, free kick awarded. Michael Jacobs crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Peter Vincenti.

7:16

Ben Herd sends in a cross.

6:31

Luke Guttridge has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

2:31

Michael Jacobs gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ben Herd. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ben Smith from right wing, save by Matt Duke.

1:22

Ben Smith sends in a cross, Blair Adams manages to make a clearance.

0:10

The assistant referee flags for offside against Danny Hylton. Matt Duke takes the indirect free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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