Fleetwood Town have defeated Northampton Town 2-0 in today's League Two clash at the Highbury Stadium, thanks to a brace from Gareth Evans.
The game had a high-tempo feel to it in the opening minutes, as the Cod Army's Alex Marrow went into the book within the first three minutes after a late tackle on Leon McSweeney.
The home side was dominant in the early stages, with Steven Schumacher particularly dangerous for Fleetwood, and did eventually draw first blood midway through the first half.
Evans was played through by Schumacher, and the winger calmly finished the job by slotting the ball beyond Matt Duke.
Jamille Matt missed a good chance to double Town's advantage with 10 minutes of the first half to go, but his header missed the target after a pinpoint Jon Parkin cross.
Things were just as hectic at the start of the second half as they were in the beginning of the match, with Charlie Taylor missing the target after the ball fell to him on the edge of the Cobblers box just after the break.
Minutes later, a last-ditch block from Mark Roberts denied Northampton's John Marquis a goal-scoring opportunity, while a drilled cross from Emile Sinclair on the hour wasn't able to be converted by the on-loan striker.
During this period, Schumacher, one of Fleetwood's outstanding performers, had to be substituted after suffering an injury.
Midway through the second half, the dominant Cod Army had several chances in quick succession, but Matt and Ben Tozer weren't able to trouble Duke with their respective attempts.
Eventually, the home side succeeded in doubling their lead late on when Evans struck his second of the game with a header from very close range.
Stewart Murdoch nearly made it three right at the death, but Duke was able to palm his effort away.
Giuseppe Labellarte
