Northampton Town earned a comfortable victory against Morecambe to move two points clear at the top of League Two.

James Collins scored on his home debut from a Joel Byrom free-kick, before John-Joe O’Toole doubled the lead when he deflected Ricky Holmes’ shot into the back of the net.

Rod McDonald headed a third for the Cobblers and Alex Kenyon had a shot over the bar for the Shrimps.

Paul Mullin scored a consolation goal for Morecambe from a loose ball.

The Cobblers have now won five straight league matches, while Jim Bentley’s Morecambe saw their four-game unbeaten streak ended as they fell to 14th.