Northampton 2 York City 0: Positive response is consolation for McNamara

On-loan Burnley right-back Luke Hendrie was sent off after 55 minutes for the Minstermen, who had just seen Marc Richards grab his 17th goal of the season following John-Joe O’Toole’s first-half effort.

But those efforts were the League Two leaders’ only on-target attempts and McNamara argued: “I thought we were on top before they got the second goal.

“After the sending off, we also played more than 35 minutes against the team who are top of the league and had some good chances, probably more than them, so I was delighted by the response of the players and the team spirit. It was a case of fine margins and there didn’t look a big gulf between us and them.

“We had chances cleared off the line and you couldn’t really see which team was top and which one was bottom.”

After Matty Dixon had an early opportunity for York smothered by Adam Smith, Chris Wilder’s men forged in front when O’Toole tucked home Lee Martin’s near-post corner.

When Ryan Cresswell cleared Dave Winfield’s header off the line, the hosts broke for Richards to calmly beat Scott Flinders from 10 yards on 53 minutes.

Hendrie went on to receive his marching orders for chopping down Ricky Holmes just inside the Northampton half, but Michael Coulson and James Berrett both went close.

Northampton Town: Smith; Moloney, McDonald, Diamond (Cresswell, 37), Buchanan; O’Toole, Byrom, Holmes (Taylor, 90), Martin; Collins, Richards (Adams, 69). Unused substitutes: Hoskins, Prosser, Rose, Clarke.

York City: Flinders; Hendrie, Winfield, Cameron, Ilesanmi; Penn, Dixon (Satka, 58); Summerfield, Coulson; Oliver, McEvoy (Berrett, 72). Unused substitutes: Carson, Ingham, Fewster, Massanka, Galbraith.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).

Man of the match: John-Joe O’Toole .