Cobblers boss Keith Curle praised his players as he reflected on Tuesday night’s Leasing.com Trophy win at Cambridge United, Harry Smith’s first half goal proving decisive.
The win means the Cobblers end the group stage with five points but with Cambridge still having two games to play and Peterborough United on six points they will have to wait on other results to see if that is enough to book a place in the knockout stages.
“It was a competitive game and I thought we started very well which was pleasing,” he said.
“The lads who came in adjusted very well and we had some very good passages of play in the first half. In the second half we ran out of steam a little bit with some of the squad having not played for a while but there were some very credible performances within that.
“Andrew Fisher in goal was excellent, his distribution was very good and he made saves when he needed to. Harry Smith’s goal was a real poachers goal and he took it well. His work rate was good and Scott Pollock in the first half gave a gentle reminder of what he is all about.
“Whatever the competition we want to win and every time the players pull on the shirt it’s a chance for them to showcase what they are all about.
“We understand the criticism from Saturday but when we lose we learn and it was a good reaction from the players tonight. They showed bravery on the ball and good discipline to put the ball in the right areas. Both teams approached the game in the right way and I think it was a good spectacle for those who came.”