Oldham Athletic 0-1 Northampton Town

The Cobblers recorded their first away win of the season as Alex Russell's goal was enough to see off Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park despite a long period of pressure from the home side.

Stuart Gray began with a surprise inclusion for Ryan Gilligan in for Poul Hubertz with the big Dane dropping to the bench. Joe Burnell was also included in place of Daniel Jones with Chris Doig returning to the starting line-up in a back three. Alex Russell was also dropped to the bench. Former England international Michael Ricketts and ex-Cobblers target Craig Davies started up front for the home side.

Brad Johnson ha the first real attempt of the game but his snap shot went comfortably wide of Marlon Beresford's post. The Cobblers' first scare of the game when big Oldham defender Neil Trotman won a header from a corner and nodded the ball just over the cross bar.Just past the twenty minute mark, Oldham went the closest that either side had come as Michael Ricketts played in Craig Davies who took the ball past Mark Bunn. But his run took him too wide and Davies shot wide from the angle with Cobblers defenders back on the line.

Davies shot wide again a minute later as the home side took charge of the game.Davies caused more problems on the half hour mark before setting up John Paul Kalala but the former Grimsby man shot over.

Neil Kilkenny also shot over the bar as Oldham pressed for the lead before Craig Davies shot into the side netting. The Cobblers were being pressed back more and more as the half went on and the home side looked by far the more likely to score.

Michael Ricketts almost made the breakthrough just before half time but his header from six yards out produced a fine save from Mark Bunn but the Cobblers got to half-time with the game at 0-0 and perhaps a little fortunate to still be level.

Stuart Gray made a half-time change with Colin Larkin replaced by Poul Hubertz up front in a bid to change the flow of the game in our favour.

The home side had the first effort of the second half but Chris Taylor could only direct his shot wide from his position at the back post. The Cobblers' first effort of the half came when Hubertz headed wide from a corner.

Oldham continued their pressing on the Cobblers goal and were still well on top as we passed the hour mark.On 65 minutes, Daniel Jones and Alex Russell replaced Danny Jackman and Joe Burnell as we brought some fresh legs into the game.

Incredibly, it was Russell's first touch that gave the Cobblers the lead as he smashed the ball home from the edge of the area past Beresford to stun the home fans who had seen their team dominate most of the game.

Craig Davies blasted a shot over the bar from the edge of the area minutes after the goal as the home side continued to be frustrated in front of goal.With fifteen minutes to go, Andy Kirk tested Marlon Beresford with a header and it took two attempts for the Oldham keeper to get a hold of the ball.

Deane Smalley then flicked a header over the bar from a free kick at the other end but the Cobblers held on.

Oldham seemed less dangerous when behind than they were at 0-0 as the Cobblers hung on to the lead late on to record a massive victory despite being pushed back for most of the game. A win's a win though and for the second week in a row we seem to have won ugly but Stuart Gray will certainly take that!