Northampton 2-0 Mansfield

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Goals from Marco Gabbiadini and skipper Paul Trollope guided Northampton to their fourth success of the season against injury-hit Mansfield.

Gabbiadini got the Cobblers off to the perfect start with his seventh goal of the season, converting a third-minute penalty after Trollope was upended by goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden.

Northampton went close to doubling their lead, with Chris Hargreaves heading against the upright, Trollope shooting wide and Ian Sampson heading over.

But Mansfield belied their basement position to control the second half.

However, they missed several chances, with Iyseden Christie the chief culprit while Mark Lever headed just wide.

Trollope finally made the game safe with 10 minutes remaining when he volleyed home to open his account for the season after Gabbiadini helped on a cross from substitute Derek Asamoah.

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Northampton: Harper, Gill, Sampson, Burgess, Carruthers, Rickers, Harsley, Trollope, Hargreaves, Gabbiadini, One. Subs: Hope, Abbey, Lincoln, Forrester, Asamoah.

Mansfield: Van Heusden, Clarke, Moore, Lever, Delaney, MacKenzie, Lawrence, Disley, Sellars, Larkin, Christie. Subs: Reddington, Corden, Andy White, Holyoak, Jason White.

Referee: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).