SALFORD CITY 2, NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Salford City recorded a long overdue home victory to climb back into the League Two play-off places.
The Ammies, without a league win at the Peninsula Stadium in nine games since August, gave head coach Neil Wood a belated 40th birthday present as they beat high-flying Northampton Town.
First-half goals from Manchester United loanee Ethan Galbraith and Conor McAleny sealed only a fourth home league success of the campaign.
Wood, who celebrated his 40th three days earlier, had threatened to cancel his birthday bash after the game had they lost.
He admitted Salford’s home form has not been good enough – this was only their fourth league win – which contrasted with excellent results on their travels.
“Our home pitch is very tight and there are bigger spaces to open up teams when we play away,” explained Wood.
“It was an important three points because it is a crazy league. Had we lost, we could have ended up 12th or 13th. It was important to win and stay around the play-off places.”
Wood was delighted with his side’s first-half display, but admitted they were under the cosh in the second saying Northampton are a top three side for a reason.
It was only a second away league loss for the Cobblers who went down despite top scorer Sam Hoskins bagging his 16th goal of the season.
Manager John Brady was left to reflect on what might have been after a couple of key decisions went against his side in the second half when Josh Eppiah had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside and they were denied a penalty after Ben Fox’s goalbound shot was handled.
“I am not using that as excuses because we gave because we gave away two cheap goals, but it was heart-breaking those decisions went against us,” he said.
The television cameras were at the Peninsula Stadium for live lunchtime coverage of this clash of two promotion hopefuls.
Salford were quick out of the blocks as Ryan Watson forced fine fingertip save from Cobblers’ keeper Lee Burge.
They made a ninth minute breakthrough when Matt Smith headed Odin Bailey’s corner against the upright with Galbraith firing home the rebound, his fourth goal of the season.
Galbraith had earlier found the net in the earlier meeting between the teams at Sixfields.
Salford had a number of other decent chances before gifting the visitors a mid-half equaliser.
Akin Odimayo’s initial shot was blocked and Hoskins’ follow up squirmed through the grasp of goalkeeper Alex Cairns, the Fleetwood Town loanee who was making his debut.
Salford regained the lead in the 33rd minute when Watson made a surging forward break before releasing McAleny who, from the left of the box, fired low into the far corner. It was his third goal in two games and fourth of the season.
Cairns redeemed himself with a terrific save low to his left to deny Cairns shortly before half time.
The second half, surprisingly in light of the open first 45 minutes, did not yield any further goals.
Salford had a great chance to seal victory on the hour as Smith’s header was cleared off the line by Marc Leonard.
Smith also had appeals for a penalty waved aside, claiming his shirt had been pulled.
Northampton, who were the superior side for much of the second period, were aggrieved that key decisions went against them.
There was Eppiah’s goal wrongly ruled out for offside and the penalty shout after Fox’s shot struck a hand.