Despite some heavy snow falling referee Darren Deadman gave this game the go ahead.

Lewis Hornby replaced Adebayo Akinfenwa in the Cobblers starting line-up while David Artell was named on the bench following a lengthy injury lay off.

Aldershot took the lead early on, Dani Lopez tapping home from an Adam Mekki cross.

The Cobblers were awarded a penalty on 21 minutes for a Michael Hector handball. Chris Hackett stepped up to score from the spot and restore parity.

Adam Mekki was denied by a terrific save from Lee Nicholls on 29 minutes as the snow continued to fall.

In a throw back to yesteryear, it was then decided that it was time for the orange ball to join proceedings.

Clarke Carlisle headed the Cobblers in front on 35 minutes, rising well to connect with a perfectly delivered Hackett corner.

Dani Lopez  had a chance to equalise for the Shots ten minutes into the second half only to be thwarted by a good block on the line by Kelvin Langmead.

The home side made their first change just after the hour mark with new loan signing Lionel Ainsworth coming on for the lively looking Adam Mekki.

Hackett went on a marauding run on 78 minutes only to be denied by a last gasp clearance from Troy Brown. Lewis Hornby then had an effort cleared off the goal line as the Cobblers enjoyed a good spell of pressure.

There was to be no late rally from the Shots and the Cobblers saw the game out to claim the win that moved them up into the automatic promotion places in npower League 2.