Jack Sowerby scored an impressive winner as 10-man Northampton beat struggling Crawley 1-0 in the Sky Bet League Two contest at Sixfields.
The Cobblers looked like they would be punished for missing a hatful of first-half chances when Aaron McGowan saw red after half-time, only for Sowerby to win it with a stunning volley 11 minutes from time.
Northampton missed two golden chances in the first three minutes as Mitch Pinnock shot straight at Corey Addai when left all alone in the penalty box before Louis Appere failed to get a shot away after going through on goal.
That set the tone for a dominant but frustrating first half for the hosts as more chances came and went.
Addai also denied Sam Hoskins and Jon Guthrie before Appere passed up another glaring opportunity just before half-time, poking Ali Koiki’s fizzed cross over the bar from just a few yards out.
The second half was more even and Dom Telford volleyed over, before Crawley’s chances were boosted after McGowan saw red for an off-the-ball incident with substitute Jack Roles.
However, the 10 men of Northampton won it when Sowerby volleyed into the top corner from a partially-cleared corner.