Gulls 1
Ellis 75

Northampton 0

UNITED repeated the trick of four days earlier by narrowly defeating a struggling side at Plainmoor.

Northampton were the victims on a bitterly cold day at TQ1 as Mark Ellis crashed home an excellent header for the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time. The Gulls performed a notch or two higher than they had against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday but it far was from their fluent best.

The Cobblers displayed similar stoicism to the Daggers but United's fabulous run of form was maintained with one terrific header on an afternoon that showed Yellow character more than Yellow class.

United boss Martin Ling had the luxury of naming the same starting 11 and substitutes that toiled to the 1-0 win over a spirited Dagenham side.

Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd, an interested spectator at Plainmoor four days ago, made two changes. Former Plymouth trainee Ben Tozer was replaced in defence by Byron Anthony and ex-United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa lost his place to new signing Luke Guttridge, who graduated from the Yellow youth system back in 2000.

The visitors were the first to shine, with the talented Michael Jacobs picking up possession on the left flank and cutting inside for a whipped cross with his right foot that proved an early test for Bobby Olejnik's handling, one which the Austrian passed impeccably.

Northampton continued with their positive intent, Jacobs again threatening with a weaving run before lone-striker Saido Berahino turned sharply on the edge of the box to unleash a snap drive that Oljenik only grasped at the second attempt.

United had their wake-up call and the Cobblers were soon on the defensive. First from an O'Kane corner being headed over by Ellis and then the Irishman delivered for a stooping Chris Robertson to warm the hands of experienced 'keeper Chris Weale.

The Cobblers responded in admirable fashion for a side languishing at the bottom and Robertson need the full length of his frame to glance clear Ben Harding's chipped cross to the back post, where Kelvin Langmead was poised to head home.

Twinkle toes from Guttridge were next to create space in the United danger zone and the impish midfielder kept Olejnik keen with a stinging left-foot drive.

United then settled into a period of relative comfort but genuine passing cohesion remained elusive, and when Northampton broke from the weak shackles, Jacobs looked a continual threat with his delivery from wide areas and set-pieces.

O'Kane was the next Gull to emerge as a moderate concern for the visitors, although Weale held his snapshot from distance with considerable comfort. In truth, Northampton were looking the brighter team and United's defending from crosses was continually under scrutiny.

Half-time arrived with United feeling, perhaps not relieved, but certainly content with a blank scoreline.

If there was any sort of managerial rebuke at the interval, the lively Danny Stevens was certainly not a target, although the tricky winger took greatest heed, dancing cleverly past two defenders before clipping a ball to the back stick which was only a fraction high for Ian Morris.

The improved purpose in United's play at the start of the second period was further emphasised by a skipping Morris run across the pitch and his reverse pass to O'Kane ended with an Oastler cross for Rene Howe, but the powerful striker was denied by a strong defensive header from Langmead.

Suddenly, United were dominating, and a wonderful display of strength from Howe allowed the big man to wriggle free and swing a curler toward the far post. Weale was equal to the shot but his parry fell to Morris, who immediately forced Webster into a desperate block.

Northampton, to their eternal credit, stood firm, and created a glorious opportunity of their own, when a slipped pass down the channel found Berahino, who was only denied by the onrushing Olejnik swiftly narrowing his angles.

The Cobblers had weathered the minor storm and Jacobs re-emerged as a danger to the Gulls, whipping over an inviting cross that evaded everyone and bounced ominously close to Olejnik's far post.

Boothroyd was the first manager to roll his dice, removing Guttridge for the fresh and familiar legs of Ryan Gilligan, who enjoyed a brief loan spell at Plainmoor last season. Ling's instant response was the introduction of Taiwo Atieno for Morris.

Referee James Linington then awarded United a painfully soft free-kick, driven in low by Nicholson and Ellis was hanging around for the rebound.

The Cobblers cleared under severe pressure but the subsequent corner by Nicholson drifted perfectly to the far post for Ellis to send a thundering header into the roof of the Northampton net from close range.

It was probably harsh on the visitors but United's football in the second half had been a vast improvement, and the Gulls did a superb job of protecting their late lead by retaining possession with confidence and poise.

Akinfenwa was thrown on for the final five minutes but the Gulls comfortably held on for a win that was neither ugly nor beautiful, just plain Jane.

Gulls (4-3-3): 1 Bobby Olejnik; 18 Joe Oastler, 5 Chris Robertson, 4 Mark Ellis, 3 Kevin Nicholson; 7 Lee Mansell (capt), 22 Damon Lathrope, 10 Eunan O'Kane; 11 Ian Morris (23 Taiwo Atieno 72), 9 Rene Howe (16 Chris McPhee 87), 19 Danny Stevens. Substitutes (not used): 2 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, 6 Brian Saah, 13 Martin Rice (GK).

Northampton (4-5-1): 32 Chris Weale; 4 Jason Crowe (5 Ben Tozer 87), 28 Kelvin Langmead, 6 Byron Webster, 29 Blair Adams; 2 Lewis Young, 22 Luke Guttridge (20 Ryan Gilligan 71), 14 John Johnson (capt) (10 Adebayo Akinfenwa 84), 27 Ben Harding, 17 Michael Jacobs; 9 Saido Berahino. Substitutes (not used): 25 Akwasi Asante, 26 Freddy Hall.

Booked: Webster 36

Referee: James Linington

Attendance: 2,719 (183 away).