Cobblers boss Keith Curle was delighted with the response from his players following Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Exeter City, Vadaine Oliver’s early strike and a Sam Hoskins second half penalty seeing off the side who started the day second in Sky Bet League 2.
The result lifted the Cobblers back up into the play-off places with a chance to overtake their next opponents - fifth-placed Cheltenham Town - on Tuesday night.
“The changing room has got to take credit for today,” he said.
“After a disappointing week we needed to go out with the right mentality and make sure we did the simple things well.
“It was a fantastic start with the early goal but defensively I thought we looked solid and we restricted Exeter to very few opportunities.
“We knew Vadaine Oliver would cause them problems and Callum Morton was excellent with his work rate and hold up play.
“It was pleasing to get Alan McCormack some minutes but also for Scott Pollock. We got that extra yard we need out of Scott today when he came on and we need to see more of that.
“We will still get better but the players have taken on board the criticism from the last week and their attitude and application has been excellent.
“They have absorbed the information we have given them and their response has been first class.”