Oxford United 2 Northampton Town 1

George Dugdale

Oxford United earned an important three points as goals from James Constable and Jon-Paul Pittman, either side of Clive Platt's header, gave United's fans an enjoyable 'Ultimate Support Saturday'.

Lee Cox returned from suspension, while Michael Raynes replaced Johnny Mullins after the loanee's recall. Jake Forster-Caskey replaced Simon Heslop in United's midfield. Sean Rigg played in the more advanced role as Alfie Potter returned to the wing.

Northampton had been on an impressive run of form but it was the home side who made the more lively start. Sean Rigg sprinted across to block goalkeeper Lee Nicholls' clearance and he was fortunate that the ball fell kindly after his recovery tackle.

Former Oxford winger Chris Hackett was providing a pacy thrust to Northampton's attack and Ryan Clarke had to be alert to block his powerful strike.

Potter was deployed in a striking role in midweek, but turned creator for James Constable after 15 minutes. He jinked past the challenge of the opposition full-back and squared the ball for Constable to tap home. The rapturous reception for the linesman's next offside decision suggested the visiting supporters felt the striker had strayed offside, but the noisy Oxford fans couldn't have cared less.

United were visibly lifted by the goal and came close to doubling the advantage a number of times in the following quarter of an hour. Sean Rigg smashed against the underside of the bar from Peter Leven's free-kick pull-back, before Jake Forster-Caskey thumped a left-footed strike against the post from a little outside the penalty area. Rigg's effort on the rebound was parried away, before Nicholls saved superbly from Andy Whing's close-range header.

It had been an excellent half hour for the hosts and Chris Wilder's side were unfortunate to not have a greater advantage.

Northampton began to come into the game as half-time approached with Clarke coming under fire from an aerial bombardment. Corners and Ben Tozer's long-throws were flung towards big Adebayo Akinfenwa and neither the in-form striker or his colleagues were particularly fussed what they barged into as they hunted the ball. This resulted in a wonderful exchange between Clarke and the referee as both seemed to scream at each other from close-range. The only problem was that the official's eye level was somewhere near the goalkeeper's chest and resulted in much amusement all round.

After battling the referee, Clarke returned to his goal to save well from Ben Harding as United took a lead into the break.

The Cobblers went cloes through Hackett at the start of the second half, before Rigg was brilliantly denied by the fingertips of Nicholls as he twisted free in the area. Two Northampton defenders got back quickly to deny Potter a tap-in as the ball rolled free.

Northampton were showing why they have done so well in recent weeks with Harding and Hackett impressing, but they were perhaps fortunate to keep 11 men on the field as Jake Robinson hacked Potter down on halfway.

The game was an enjoyable watch and Hackett reminded the home fans of Northampton's threat as he whistled a drive over the bar with his right foot. The winger's cousin plays for United's youth team and couldn't have failed to be impressed as he looked on in his current ball-boy role.

Jon-Paul Pittman replaced Forster-Caskey after the midfielder picked up a booking and the replacement flashed a shot wide of the left post after good work by Potter.

Akinfenwa had been well-marshalled by Wright and Raynes, but came close to an equaliser as he headed wide at the back post. However, United didn't take the warning and the visitors drew level with fifteen minutes remaining.

The Hackett who could never cross in an Oxford shirt put a lovely ball into the area and substitute Platt rose to firmly plant a header past Clarke, much to the delight of the Northampton support who had travelled in number.

On a poor run of form, it would have been easy to be affected by the setback but United's performance had deserved more than a point and they quickly set about addressing the issue. Leven, who had been working the ball around the field nicely all afternoon, curled a ball behind the defence and both Rigg and Pittman were through. The latter took control and lashed a fierce strike past Nicholls for his first goal of the season.

Clarke Carlisle saw a second yellow card for a trip on Potter as the winger sprinted towards the area and was given an early shower. The Press Association informed the national media that the PFA representative had been dismissed for abusive language, whereas he actually accepted the decision and jogged off the field without contesting the decision. After chasing Potter and Constable around, you suspect he was quite glad to be given a rest.

United saw out the remaining minutes comfortably and the 'Ultimate Support' crowd, who had been terrific throughout, were sent out into the rain with smiles on their faces.

The fact that the return of Johnny Mullins had coincided with the visit of Akinfenwa had dampened the already low spirits before the game, but United produced a performance that was totally deserving of the victory. Northampton were a strong side, but United were organised in defence, committed across the pitch and creative in the final third. With the goalkeeper pulling off fine saves and the woodwork thwarting the hosts, it felt like it could have been another one of those days. It wasn't.

Constable and Wright were the stand-out performers, but some of United's under-fire players deserve credit. Raynes was vastly improved from his last home performance and Leven provided creativity and control in the midfield. Pittman also had an impact from the bench and combined his goal threat with work-rate in the closing stages.

This isn't United first good performance of the season, but it was a relief to combine a performance with the result. The message remains the same, however. This can't be a one off. When United return to league action, Wilder's side need to string some wins together. Northampton have managed it and now United need to follow their lead. Here's hoping…

Aside from being really short, referee Scott Mathieson, who refereed the JPT victory over Swindon earlier this season, had a mixed afternoon. The decision to not award a free-kick to Constable as he raced past his opponent on the byline was bewildering and he let an awful lot go as the ball was played into the penalty area. That isn't always a bad thing, however. I prefer a referee who lets the contest flow to one who doesn't let it get going and I enjoyed the competitive nature of the game as a result. His linesman came under fire (in bottle form at one point) and his performance will be more easily analysed when we all watch the Football League Show tonight. It feels good to enjoy watching it again.

United sit in 18th place after that win, but any pessimists will be reassured by the 5 point gap to the teams below.

Gillingham remain top despite a 1-1 draw at Accrington. Port Vale closed the gap at the top to 2 points with a 3-1 win at Aldershot, while Cheltenham were 1-0 winners over Barnet to remain in third. Southend beat Rochdale 3-1 and Bradford remain in the play-offs after coming from behind three times to draw at Bristol Rovers. Fleetwood lost 1-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge, while a Johnny Mullins inspired Rotherham won 1-0 at Exeter City. Northampton fall to 10th.

Barnet and Aldershot remain in the bottom two, while AFC Wimbledon remain only one point clear after a 3-1 defeat at Morecambe. Ploymouth lost 1-0 at home to Chesterfield, while Wycombe picked up a much-needed 3-0 victory over 10-man Burton. Torquay returned to the south coast with three points after a 2-0 win in York.

Attendance: 6,635