Northampton dent Exeter’s promotion hopes

Posted Sunday, February 23, 2020 by PA

Exeter lost ground in the Sky Bet League Two title race following a 2-0 defeat to Northampton Town on Saturday.

The Cobblers stopped their four-game losing run thanks to goals from a first-minute strike from Vadaine Oliver and Sam Hoskins’ late penalty as they moved back into the play-off places.

Northampton were ahead after just 54 seconds as Exeter failed to clear Chris Lines’ ball into the box and Oliver emphatically thumped into the top corner from a tight angle.

The visitors responded through Matt Jay, who had a couple of attempts saved by David Cornell, but they were fortunate not to be further behind at the break after goalkeeper Lewis Ward brilliantly kept out Ryan Watson’s close-range effort.

Exeter struggled to turn their dominance of possession into clear chances and, if anything, Northampton carried the greater threat on the break after half-time with Ward saving with his legs from Lloyd Jones.

The Cobblers scored their second goal with nine minutes to go when Callum Morton was tripped in the box and Hoskins sent Ward the wrong way from the penalty spot, wrapping up the victory.

Exeter dropped out of the top two, slipping three points behind leaders Swindon and a point behind Crewe.