Akinfenwa stars in Cobblers win: Match Review

Powerhouse striker Adebayo Akinfenwa produced a man-of-the-match display as Northampton recorded an impressive 2-0 win at Macclesfield.

Akinfenwa set up the first goal for Luke Guttridge in the 23rd minute before notching his 10th of the season with a firm header late on.

The Cobblers might have scored in the third minute when Andy Holt tested Jon Brain with a 20-yard volley.

Lee Bell then went close for Macclesfield with a curling 20-yard free-kick, but it was Northampton who took the lead when Akinfenwa laid the ball off for Guttridge, whose fierce drive deflected off Carl Tremarco to leave Jon Brain stranded.

Brain made a superb save 14 minutes later when he deflected a rising 30-yard drive from Ryan Gilligan on to the crossbar.

The home side struck the woodwork themselves 10 minutes after the interval as Sean Hessey's free-kick skimmed the bar.

However, the game was sealed in the 76th minute when Akinfenwa planted a downward header into the corner following an inch-perfect cross from Gilligan.

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