ZACH Clough's seventh goal of the season earned Wanderers a hard-fought victory at Northampton Town.

Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his verdict on how the players fared at Sixfields.

WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)

BEN ALNWICK…7 Made some solid saves in the second half and came to collect a number of crosses to diffuse the pressure.

LAWRIE WILSON…7 Dug in when he was needed after a slightly shaky start. His positioning was excellent as Northampton turned the screw late on.

DERIK OSEDE…7.5 Won’t have played many games like this in Spain. Once he got to terms with the physicality, Derik showed he can handle the rough stuff.

MARK BEEVERS…7 Not at his imperious best – but still won his fair share in the air against a very strong front line after the break.

ANDY TAYLOR…8 Played like a winger in the first half and then was in the right place at the right time so often later in the game. Big heart for these occasions.

JAY SPEARING…7.5 As you’d expect, Spearing didn’t shirk a single challenge all game. Led by example.

TOM THORPE…8.5 Outdid anyone when it came to breaking up play and making blocks on the edge of the box. Starting to find his best form again.

SAMMY AMEOBI…6.5 Majestic before half time but starved of any decent service before being substituted.

JOSH VELA…6 Worked hard and played a part in Clough’s goal but Wanderers couldn’t get him into the game enough.

ZACH CLOUGH…7 Calm finish and some touches of real class before becoming a more peripheral figure in the defensive effort.

GARY MADINE…6 May have had a goal had he gambled to get further forward when the crosses were flying across the six yard box in the first galf.

Subs: Henry 72 (for Ameobi) – Worked hard after coming off the bench.

Proctor 81 (for Madine) – Also chased hard with fresh legs.

C Taylor 87 (for Clough) – Had little time to make an impact.

Not used: Buxton, Moxey, Anderson, Turner.

Northampton Town (4-3-3): Cornell; Phillips, Zakuani, Nyatanga, Buchanan; McCourt, M Taylor, Hoskins; Anderson, Gorre, Revell

Subs: Richards 54 (for Gorre), O’Toole 54 (for McCourt), Potter 76 (for Anderson)

Not used: Smith, Beautyman, Hanley, McDonald.

Their star man – Marc Richards Came off the bench and got the crowd going with a swashbuckling second half display.

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION Northampton – 50 Wanderers - 50

SHOTS ON TARGET Northampton – 6 Wanderers - 4

SHOTS OFF TARGET Northampton – 7 Wanderers - 5

CORNERS Northampton – 9 Wanderers - 4

FOULS AGAINST Northampton – 4 Wanderers - 6

OFFSIDES Northampton – 1 Wanderers - 2 Booked: Northampton – O’Toole 54 (dissent)

Sent off: None

Attendance: 7,018 (1,214)

Referee: Darren Deadman 5 Lost control of the game a little in the second half and gave the home fans in particular plenty of reasons to moan.

Goals: Wanderers – Clough 25

Entertainment – 7 It wasn’t pretty – but fans are starting to appreciate the defensive stability Parkinson has brought to Wanderers this season.

Atmosphere – 7 A travelling crowd of 1,200 made their voices heard. It was tense at times but the roar at the final whistle said it all.