Athletic bounced back as required to pull off a well deserved, but hard fought, victory at in form Northampton Town. The result was that the Latics now sit in second spot in the Coca-Cola League One standings. They were one up in the first minute when Richie Wellens (pictured) opened the scoring but the Cobblers fought back to equalise before Paul Warne restored the lead just on the stroke of half time. Chris Porter made it three in the 58th. minute and it looked as though they were coasting. Two minutes from time Northampton struck again to set up a nerve wracking last few minute but the lads held strong to record their sixth road victory of the season.A very happy John Sheridan told the official website, "This is a massive result for us. The lads showed good character and we've done what we usually do, bounce back well after a defeat. I feel we deserved to win the game. Yes, one or two teams have got games in hand, but we'll be second in the league in tomorrow morning's paper and that gives the lads confidence. We just need to keep on winning."
"I knew today would be difficult as Northampton have been excellent in the past three or four games, and at three-one you think it's game over. Northampton came back at us in the last ten minutes but we hung on. We dropped too deep and stood off the game after a great start, then started playing again when they equalised. I'm disappointed with both goals, they were soft and should have been dealt with better but I'm not going to go on about it too much. The lads showed great character, worked their nuts off and got a great result. Ports' goal was a good one and he was very brave. He knew there was a chance that he might get hurt. He put his body on the line and just concentrated on getting a contact on the ball."