Cobblers: Louie Moulden, Sam Sherring (sub Liam Moore 76), Jordan Willis, Jon Guthrie, Patrick Brough, Ben Fox (sub Shaun McWilliams 61), Marc Leonard, Will Hondermarck (sub Jack Sowerby 76), Mitch Pinnock, Kieron Bowie (sub Louis Appere 76), Tyreece Simpson (sub Tony Springett 72)
Subs not used: James Dadge, Manny Monthe

Bristol Rovers: Jed Ward, Lewis Gordon, Josh Grant (sub John Marquis 65), James Wilson, Scott Sinclair (sub James Connolly 72), Luke Thomas, Chris Martin, Harvey Vale (sub Harry Vaughan 46), Jevani Brown, Tristan Crama (sub Elkan Baggott 46), Jack Hunt
Subs not used: Luca Hoole, Matthew Cox, Jerry Lawrence

Referee: Adam Herczeg

Booked:
Cobblers: Patrick Brough (52), Louie Moulden (79)
Bristol Rovers: James Wilson (24)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Bristol Rovers: none

Sam Sherring returned from injury as one of three changes to the Northampton Town starting XI for the visit of Bristol Rovers. Ben Fox and Tyreece Simpson also came into the side with Shaun McWilliams and Jack Sowerby, both making their return from injury, named on the bench. Former Cobblers striker John Marquis was amongst the Rovers substitutes.

In a fast start from the home side, Patrick Brough fired the Cobblers in front on 3 minutes, the left-back set away by Ben Fox before initially playing in Tyreece Simpson but with the on-loan Huddersfield striker unable to get a shot off, it was left to Brough to tuck the ball home.

Jed Ward parried a shot from Will Hondermarck as the Cobblers looked for a second goal but Rovers were posing a threat of their own with Scott Sinclair curling a shot just wide and Fox making a vital headed interception to deny a primed Chris Martin.

Mitch Pinnock doubled the Cobblers lead five minutes before half-time, goalscorer Brough providing the assist for Pinnock who drove the ball into the bottom corner. It was a well crafted goal by Jon Brady’s side with Kieron Bowie and Simpson also both involved in the build-up.

Bristol Rovers, having brought on Elkan Baggott and Harry Vaughan in a double change at half-time, pressed early in the second half and it needed a terrific block from Jordan Willis to deny Luke Thomas a clear strike on goal. The Cobblers though then went agonisingly close to a third goal with Brough seeing a sweetly struck volley cannon off the cross bar.

Louie Moulden made a comfortable save from Vaughan before Ben Fox made way for Shaun McWilliams in the Cobblers first change of the afternoon, Fox leaving the field to a standing ovation. Tyreece Simpson also received a rapturous round of applause as he was replaced by Tony Springett while Liam Moore came on to make his Cobblers debut In a triple change which also saw the introduction of Louis Appere and Jack Sowerby, Moore coming on for Sam Sherring.

Chris Martin halved Rovers deficit with a close range finish on 79 minutes but after Sowerby had a shot blocked behind for a corner, Marc Leonard restored the Cobblers two goal lead with a terrific first time strike into the top corner following a training ground move from the set piece.

Rovers pressed for a second goal in injury time but an important block from McWilliams ensured there would be no late drama as the Cobblers claimed a deserved 3-1 victory.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 1
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (5) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

BRISTOL ROVERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 4
CORNERS: (0) 5
FOULS: (5) 7
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3