First-half goals from Marc Richards and John-Joe O’Toole saw Northampton earn a 2-0 away win at Exeter.

City had several good chances early on with Tom Nichols twice going close, while Arron Davies was denied a spectacular long-range goal by a superb flying save from Matt Duke as the home side bombarded the visitor’s goal.

However, the Grecians paid the price for not taking their chances when they were undone by a cross from Brendan Moloney after 20 minutes, which was flicked on and Richards bundled the ball over the line at the back post.

It should have been 2-0 when a poor goal-kick by James Hamon went straight to Richards, only he fired wide. But Northampton did get a second goal after 29 minutes when more woeful defending from Exeter allowed O’Toole to breeze through and slip the ball past Hamon.

Former Cobbler Alex Nicholls missed a great chance for Exeter after the break when he headed straight at Duke from six yards out. Northampton could have added a third goal late on but Emile Sinclair blasted his shot high over the crossbar.