League One (England)

Tyler Goodrham’s first touch after coming on as a substitute gave Mark Harris a chance on the left side of the box and the summer signing from Cardiff tucked a shot past goalkeeper Tomas Holy to give the U’s their first success of the campaign after heavy away defeats in league and cup.

Harris had squandered an earlier opportunity when through on goal, waiting for a team-mate to arrive rather than shoot.

Manning said: “I’m pleased for the players after the first two games, it’s been a challenging first week.

“I know Mark Harris is going to score goals at this level. I think I have more faith in him than he has. It’s about being bullet-headed and believing in yourself.

“Being a sub is about being ready to make an impact and Tyler showed a high moment of quality with the pass.

“In the first 20 minutes we were a bit edgy but in the second half I thought we were excellent.

“Yes it would be nicer if we were a bit more clinical but we got in some great areas.

“We’ve shown today we’re resilient and we found a way to win. We’ve done a lot of learning this week as a group.”

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson said: “We had just one momentary lapse of concentration and it’s cost us.

“We allowed the runner to go, didn’t track him, and got punished for it. It was a straight ball down the line and we could have stopped it at source. From our point of view, it looks such a scrappy goal, that’s the real frustration.

“Over the whole of the game we did a lot of good things but we didn’t trouble the goalkeeper enough.

“We’ve got to work as hard as we can now to get those first three points.

“We are just finding our feet as a group and in this league.

“When you’re on top you have to make it count and be a bit more ruthless.

“We had a plan that was working well in the first half but in the second we lost our way and didn’t commit 100 per cent to what we were doing.”

But Wanderers had the satisfaction of keeping a clean sheet for the seventh game in a row in league and cup games to equal a 123-year-old club record.

Oxford were hoping to give Buckingham a first win and bounce back from a surprise 2-0 defeat at lowly Cheltenham last Saturday.

They had skipper Elliott Moore back after suspension at centre-half, and he made a big difference, several times cutting out dangerous situations.

Stanley Mills should have put United in front just before the break when Billy Bodin played him in – but Nathan Baxter superbly diverted his shot for a corner.

Cameron Brannagan then curled a 30-yard effort over Baxter, only to see it hit the top of the bar.

Brannagan almost caught Baxter off his line at a free-kick with a brilliant effort, yet Baxter was equal to it, scampering back to turn it over the bar.

Wanderers stepped up a gear in the second half and Dion Charles skied a very presentable chance 14 yards out and then saw a close-range drive well blocked by James Beadle.

The U’s keeper also kept out Jack Iredale’s angled blast, while substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson squandered a good opportunity at the far post.

Bolton almost snatched victory in stoppage time with George Thomason firing in a shot from the edge of the box that Beadle saved to his right on the line.

The Addicks took a fifth minute lead through Chem Campbell’s second goal of the season. The Wolves loanee’s tackle on Ruben Rodrigues started the attack and he was on hand to finish after United goalkeeper James Beadle could only parry Corey Blackett-Taylor’s shot.

Beadle denied Blackett-Taylor again soon after, while Oxford defender Ciaron Brown made a goal-line headed clearance to prevent Daniel Kanu making it 2-0 on 20 minutes.

The visitors levelled in the 22nd minute, Finley Stevens’ low cross from the right wing swept past Ashley Maynard-Brewer by Mark Harris.

Beadle was called into action again in the second half, repelling Tyreece Campbell’s strike with his legs, while his opposite number dived to his right in the 71st minute to push away Harris’ shot from the edge of the box.

Smyth settled the contest in sublime fashion in the 85th minute, lashing a right-footed rocket past Maynard-Brewer.

The struggling Cod Army crashed to a miserable sixth successive league defeat as Johnson’s reign started in forgettable fashion.

Goals from Stanley Mills, Billy Bodin and Kyle Edwards did the damage for the visitors as they dominated at Highbury to register their fifth win in their last five League One outings.

Everton loan midfielder Mills fired the U’s ahead in the 16th minute with a sweet curling left-foot strike, before Welsh striker Bodin doubled the advantage with a fine half-volley finish which flew into the bottom left corner 11 minutes later.

And Ipswich loan recruit Edwards bagged his second goal is as many games, netting on the hour mark to put the one-sided contest out of reach.

Mills’ goal was his first for the club, while Bodin’s was his second of the season as the visitors extended their impressive start to the campaign.

Striker Jayden Stockley was unlucky not to score for the hosts, but his bullet header rattled the crossbar as Johnson’s newly-acquired side remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

The U’s, who slipped out of the top six when held at Shrewsbury on Good Friday, had this game in the bag by half-time.

Cameron Brannagan fired them in front in the 14th minute with a shot that deflected off Imari Samuels.

Harris turned in Josh Murphy’s left-wing cross at full stretch to double the lead after 30 minutes.

Owen Dale knocked the ball home at the far post two minutes before the break after Jay Lynch parried Joe Bennett’s shot.

Harris bagged his second seven minutes from time with a shot that deflected in off Brendan Wiredu.

Fleetwood should have been ahead before Brannagan’s opener as Tommy Lonergan ran on to Elliott Moore’s misplaced header and chipped the keeper but saw his effort go the wrong side of the post.

Murphy, Brannagan, Ruben Rodrigues and Sam Long went close to adding more for Oxford with low shots, while Town were unfortunate when Phoenix Patterson’s 20-yard free-kick came back off the bar.

A goal in either half from Stephen Humphrys and Callum Lang gave the Latics their second win in the space of four days.

But Manning felt the visitors were the architects of their own downfall.

“It’s deeply frustrating, we’ve spoken about it in there,” said the Oxford manager.

“We’ve made loads of progress and build-up in how we control games, which you saw again tonight. There were periods of the game where they allowed us to do that.

“But what you don’t do is give them anything, and unfortunately that’s what we did. If it takes 90 or 95 minutes to keep it at 0-0, and then nick it at the end, or even keep it at 0-0.

“What you don’t do is give away cheap goals, and that was their whole game plan for me – try and frustrate us, try and play on our mistakes.

“Unfortunately we did that.

“I thought there were some terrific moments in the midfield, we managed to play through them, and caused them some real problems.

“Some of the play was excellent, but what you have to do is make sure you get your reward at the end of it.

“Whether that’s care with the final pass, conviction in terms of getting bodies in the box, that was the bit that was lacking.

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Wigan, and how Shaun’s set them up, and they’re difficult to break down. But it seems like we beat ourselves.”

For Wigan boss Shaun Maloney, it was another huge step in the right direction – after Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Exeter – following a difficult run of results.

“It was just a really good performance, against a really good team,” he said.

“I thought the performance showed similarities to Exeter, particularly in the first half, when Oxford tried to play through us.

“But I really liked us in the second half as well.

“I’d like to see even more of us with the ball, like the goal we scored in the first half, I want to see more of that.

“Maybe we just needed the platform of being better defensively so we could do what we did in the second half.

“I have to say the mentality of the players was brilliant in the first half, they have to take all the credit.

“The way Oxford played in the first half, finding the spare man, I thought the recovery we showed in shutting down the space was really, really good.

“We built a squad that I said, at the beginning of the season, I wanted to be really attacking.

“We have to find that right balance with the defending, and in the last two matches I feel we have.

“It’s four goals and six points, but we have to be ready to go again, and it’s back to work ahead of the weekend.”

Pompey took the lead after seven minutes when Marlon Pack’s free-kick from 30 yards was headed home by Connor Ogilvie.

The second came after 16 minutes. A long clearance from Pack found Lane, who turned inside a defender to drive home.

Pompey were awarded a penalty two minutes before half-time after Harvey Lintott pushed Myles Peart-Harris over but Colby Bishop’s tame kick was easily saved by Lee Burge.

Pompey were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes when McIntyre was shown a straight red for a foul on Mitchell Pinnock.

But Pompey got a third in the 58th minute, Lane playing a one-two before slotting home.

It was 4-0 after 71 minutes as an in-swinging free-kick from Pack saw Callum Lang pick up the loose ball and stab it past Burge.

Northampton got a consolation goal a minute from time when Marc Leonard fired into the roof of the net from a corner.

Hurst returned to the hot seat at the Croud Meadow on Tuesday, replacing Matt Taylor who was sacked last weekend after a run of seven defeats in eight matches.

And Hurst had an immediate impact as the Shrews claimed three precious points against a Cobblers side that had lost just two in 12 going into Saturday’s encounter.

The win lifted the Shrews five places up the table to 15th, and saw them go six points clear of the drop zone, with second-half goals from Dan Udoh and Chey Dunkley sealing the result.

Shrews were the better side throughout, and could have won by more, and a delighted Hurst said: “I think it was a very well deserved three points.

“It’s not like we were lucky, or hitting them on the break or anything like that.

“I thought all the players did well, they all had moments in the game and a lot of what we tried to implement, we saw bits of that, certainly in terms of what Northampton offered.

“I think we nullified a lot of their threat, and hopefully the players will take confidence from it.

“But I have just said to the players, and I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade, but it is just one game so we are not going to get carried away.

“I had some apprehension before the game, and I was still a bit concerned at half-time because the players had put so much into that first half.

“But they seemed to find more energy when they needed it, and for a lot of that second half we had a really good spell where we had attack after attack, but it took us a little while to get in front.

“We were beginning to wonder if we would get hit with a sucker-punch, but we didn’t, and I think Marco Marosi has only had to make one real save, so I am really pleased.”

The result saw the Cobblers lose for the first time in 2024, and brought the Cobblers fans back to earth following their thrilling 3-2 midweek win at Charlton.

Manager Jon Brady accepted his team were second best, saying: “I thought we looked leggy, and it looked like Tuesday night might have taken a lot out of us.

“I felt there was a new manager bounce for them, and they looked buoyant, and overall they deserved that today.

“In the last 13 games we haven’t had too many off days, but today was a bit of an off day for us.

“Of late we have set the standards where everybody is expecting us to turn it on, and for whatever reason we didn’t hit our usual standards.

“We had too many players who had an off day, but we have been consistent over the recent period so we are going to try and not get too low about it.

“We just have to regroup and dust ourselves down.”

Second-half goals from Dan Udoh and Chey Dunkley ensured the Sky Bet League One victory, and the Shrews could have won by more in a dominant display against the Cobblers.

Shrews went into the game off the back of seven defeats in eight matches which resulted in the sacking of Matt Taylor, but new boss Hurst made an instant impact.

The visitors were appealing for a penalty early on as Tom Bayliss went to ground under a clumsy looking challenge from Kieron Bowie, but referee Sebastian Stockbridge gave a goal kick.

Shrews midfielder Jordan Shipley then went close to a spectacular opener as he fired a left-foot volley just the top from 20 yards.

The Cobblers did not threaten at all, and just before the break the visitors were inches away from going ahead, the ball being cut back to Tom Bloxham 12 yards out. His right-foot shot beat goalkeeper Lee Burge, but struck the left-hand upright and rebounded to safety.

Shipley went close again for the visitors early in the second half, this time sending a curling shot just wide of the post, and Burge had to then react sharply to keep out a left-foot strike from Udoh.

A few minutes later Udoh made the breakthrough though, his low right-foot shot taking a slight deflection and flying into the bottom left hand corner.

Burge had to make good saves from Bloxham and Dunkley, but he was beaten for a second time on 75 minutes, Dunkley rising highest at the far post to head home a corner and seal the three points.

It was a fifth defeat in a row for the Cumbrians and they have won just once in their last 13 games.

The Cumbrians boss had seen his side take the lead halfway through the first-half through Josh Vela but a late brace from Shaq Forde turned this around at the interval in Orient’s favour.

And before the hour, Ruel Sotiriou had made it 3-1 to leave the visitors struggling before being awarded a penalty deep into added time for a handball offence that allowed Sean Maguire to reduce the deficit.

“I thought we started bright enough and pressed them okay which is where our goal came from,” Simpson said.

“The second goal just before half time has absolutely knocked the stuffing out of us. I thought it was a foul on Ben Barclay and so to go two-one down just before the break when we didn’t deserve that was a bit unfair on us.

“The third goal was a really poor one to give away. We need to be a bit nastier and street wise to keep a foothold in the game and learn the things that Orient done well .

“This was always going to be a tough game but the truth of it is we’re in serious trouble and this was the day we needed to start getting wins.  We let ourselves down in lacking quality.  We need to keep working hard and keep going because that’s all we can do.”

Whilst Simpson’s woes increase, Richie Wellens has manoeuvred his charges into ninth place in the league although still 10 points off the play-offs.

“We started the game well and then probably for a 20-minute period, we started to play backwards and took too many touches but then we pushed our full-backs much higher and they couldn’t really deal with it,” the Orient boss  reflected.

“To get a second goal just before half time was a big bonus. Apart from Ruel Sotiriou’s goal in the second half it became a bit of a nothing game. We became a bit sloppy and I was disappointed to concede the penalty in the last minute.

“We’ll be without Dan Agyei now for the season because of injury.

“Ruel’s press is really good and I thought he was brilliant in the first half getting into key positions. Shaq Forde has a lot of variety he can score with both feet and we will need both between now and the end of the season.

“Overall it’s a good day but I don’t think we had to reach our best levels to get the three points.”

Corey Blackett-Taylor put the Addicks on course for an excellent away win with a clinical 54th-minute opener.

But defender Sam Lavelle hauled the hosts level eight minutes later with his first goal for a year to rescue a point at Brunton Park.

“It’s been a fantastic few days with the news that the takeover had been completed,” said Simpson.

“But I’ve said it all along that the football has to be right for the supporters after all the planning that has gone to put things in place.

“I thought the players showed incredible character. Sometimes when there’s a takeover they fall flat on their backs, but we didn’t and we took a point out of the game.

“It could be a really good point to keep us going and keep us in there until we get the cavalry in.”

“We had to accept that Charlton are a very, very good team. They caused us all sorts of problems, particularly for the first part of the game.

“But I thought we were better once I’d shuffled it around when we went from a back five to a back four, we were able to get a little bit more control in the game.”

The point keeps Carlisle in touch with safety as they look to get out of the drop zone.

Simpson added: “We played well in the first half and things didn’t quite drop for us despite getting into good areas. Unfortunately we didn’t get that little bit of luck we were crying out for.

“But in the end I thought it was a really good point – and we got it, probably not through total football, but desire, determination, character and a real will to get something.

“We’re down to a very depleted group at the moment. It’s tough for us at the moment, but we’ve just got to get on with it.”

Charlton remain in mid-table and manager Michael Appleton thought this was a missed opportunity.

“It’s two points lost, we dominated the game,” he said.

“I’m disappointed with the lack of concentration for their goal because I didn’t see them being too much of a threat other than that.

“But it’s one of them, you’ve got to make sure sometimes when you’ve got teams on the rope you finish them off.

“We had a spell of about five or 10 minutes where we looked like we going to score, but we weren’t aggressive enough in that final third.

“Little things like that can be very frustrating, but ultimately it’s another point on the board and we’ve got two home games coming up against Cheltenham and Cambridge, so hopefully we can get maximum points.”

Substitute Joe Garner’s stoppage-time strike added to Tom Bayliss’ own goal as the Cumbrians moved out of the relegation zone.

“It’s a big win for us,” Simpson said.

“The first one is always the hardest. It did get a bit nervy towards the end of the game before we got that second goal, because they’re a good side.

“They caused us a lot of problems. Their forward players caused us problems, but I thought we defended really well as a team today because we had to – that’s the truth of it, we had to defend well.

“I think the base of any performance is defending well, so we’ve done that side of it and then we’ve had some good football. We’ve got ourselves into good areas.

“We probably haven’t been as clinical as I would like, but a lot of good things today from the players, some brilliant stuff from the supporters, and it gives us something to build on.”

Shrewsbury left-back Mal Benning, making his first league start for the club since signing from Port Vale in the summer, nearly broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, but his strike was diverted narrowly wide.

Down at the other end, Jordan Gibson’s shot from just outside the box was pushed over the crossbar by Marko Marosi as the first half ended goalless.

Carlisle took the lead in the 57th minute when Owen Moxon’s corner hit a couple of Shrewsbury players before going in off Bayliss.

The Cumbrians quickly came close to doubling their advantage, with Jon Mellish slicing an attempt wide before Luke Plange’s effort from Callum Guy’s cross hit the post and went wide.

Daniel Udoh threatened to grab an equaliser for the visitors in the 68th minute, but his powerful effort was well saved by Jokull Andresson.

Carlisle’s much-needed victory was sealed in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Garner found the net from fellow substitute Terry Ablade’s cross.

Shrewsbury boss Matt Taylor felt his side were worthy of a draw, but still believes they could have performed better on the day.

“I felt that there wasn’t a huge amount in the game for either team to be perfectly frank,” he said.

“But they’re obviously a lot happier than we are because they’ve got the three points.

“It’s difficult, I think, when you’re chasing the game and you want to try and get back in it.

“And then, ultimately, I think we conceded in the 96th minute and we’re trying to get ourselves a goal.

“But I’m disappointed in the level of performance and, I suppose, the bravery that we had on the ball because it probably wasn’t as good as we have been.”

Loanee Luke Plange fired the visitors in front and the Cumbrians felt they should have had a penalty when Sean Maguire appeared to be wiped out inside the box.

But Ethan Hamilton’s superb long-range strike secured a point for the hosts, who are yet to lose at Sincil Bank this season.

“It’s a wrong decision from the referee not to give a penalty,” Simpson said.

“As I’m coming down the tunnel, I think it’s their director of football who says ‘we’ve got out of jail there, it’s a stonewall penalty’.

“Everybody on this side of the ground could see it was a penalty.

“Sean had nodded it past the lad and he’s just took him out. I’ve seen it back at half-time, but I can’t say I’ve seen it because it’s an instant red card.

“There were a lot of things today which weren’t good decisions. But we can’t let those things upset us.

“These are big decisions that they’re getting wrong. People say they level themselves over the season, so let’s hope they do.

“I just hope the assessor looks at it. They get judged on those key moments in games.

“I thought we were excellent. I thought we started the game well and played with a good discipline.

“We had to defend for our lives when the time came, but we should have had an opportunity to go 2-0 up.”

Mark Kennedy’s spirited team talk, which included telling Hamilton to shoot more, worked wonders as the Imps grabbed a point.

He said: “We’ve got an incredible group of hard working, honest, brave, humble and grounded players.

“I just thought that for the first time ever, because there’s a bit of expectation, that the pressure showed a little bit.

“I just said at half-time that it can’t happen. I can’t say what I said, there was no swearing, but I urged them to show some bravery, some heart and some willingness to make mistakes by being brave on the ball.

“We’re all of those things, and I don’t know why, but it was one game where I was scratching my head.

“I’m glad Jack Burroughs has told the press I told Ethan Hamilton to shoot because I don’t want to pat myself on the back.

“It’s about getting a positive outcome, even if you boot the ball over the bar you’ll get some applause from the fans and that’s a positive outcome.

“It’s was nice that having spoken about it that he’s scored. I’m glad it’s gone in because he’s a very coachable guy and I think he’s got goals in him.”

Simpson also praised the character of a side that had lost their last three games in all competitions without scoring a goal.

Carlisle trailed to Mark Helm’s 28th-minute goal before top-scorer Gibson equalised in the 53rd minute and Garner wrapped up a vital victory two minutes from time.

“Maybe we should have got something at the weekend (at Portsmouth) which we didn’t,” said Simpson. “So, it was really important we got a win, not even a draw.

“We showed good patience throughout the game which we knew we would have to.

“We expected them to do what they did because they are difficult to break down.

“We knew they were waiting for us to make a mistake and they punished us with the one mistake we made in the first half.

“I just said at half-time keep doing the things we have been doing but make it count in the final third. It was about the test of our character.

“Could we keep doing the right things and not lose our heads and our belief in what we are doing?

“The fans stuck with us and the players showed good attitude and character to keep going.

“They kept persevering, probing and trying to find the right pass. In the end we got two good goals which earned us three points. And we absolutely deserved this win.”

Burton manager Dino Maamria saw his side lose for the first time in nine games, with a bid for a fifth successive victory ending tamely.

“It was a tough night but credit to Carlisle, they played well and deserved to win,” said Maamria. “It is a tough place to come.

“We scored a good goal in the first half but were put under a fair bit of pressure.

“I thought the officials played their part in putting us under some pressure; some free-kicks and throw-ins which were ours.

“Their decisions gave them momentum and we couldn’t get out.

“We had chances in the second half and Josh Walker hit the side netting.

“We weren’t at it and there are reasons for that. We had to make two substitutions at half-time we didn’t want to make.

“But we can’t look back at the run we have been on.

“That run is gone now so we have to rest and recover and start another one, starting Saturday.”

Jon Mellish scored the decisive goal in the third minute of stoppage-time after Jordan Gibson’s penalty in the 80th minute cancelled out Ben Garrity’s opener just after half-time.

Victory ends a nine-match winless run for the Cumbrians and sees them move up two places to 22nd.

“You have to do your own job,” Simpson said. “There’s no point worrying about anybody else.

“We have to do our job and the fact that we’ve won today and the way that we’ve gone about it (is pleasing).

“The character that the players showed was tremendous – they just kept plugging away, kept doing it.”

Carlisle had the better of the first-half chances but were punished for not taking them when Garrity struck in the 49th minute for his ninth league goal of the season.

Gibson brought the hosts level with 10 minutes remaining, sending Connor Ripley the wrong way from the penalty spot after Jack Robinson was fouled in the area.

And the home fans were sent into raptures in the dying moments as Mellish headed home Robinson’s cross to secure all three points.

“In the first-half today, we did more than enough to be going in ahead but we didn’t finish things off,” Simpson added.

“And then when you concede that goal, it’s such a sucker punch that you think, ‘oh here we go again’.

“But again, the supporters – they stuck with us, they kept making the noise. The players responded because they kept playing the football and kept creating chances.

“I’m so pleased for everybody that we’ve managed to get three points.”

Defeat for Vale, which came on the back of a 3-0 win over Blackpool last time out, sees them drop one place to 15th.

Manager Andy Crosby put the loss down to a lack of concentration from his team for the winning goal.

“We don’t get set up right,” he said. “To concede from that situation in the last minute of the game is obviously very disappointing.

“Our retention of the ball throughout the whole game was poor.

“We managed to get ourselves in front just after half-time with another goal from Ben but we struggled in the first-half to try and dominate (Joe) Garner off the first contacts, which meant that we had to do a lot of defending.

“We had to defend our box and you then get yourselves in front and it gives you something to look after.

“But our retention of the ball meant we could never really get up the pitch enough and get our wing-backs higher.

“And then we give a penalty away and we concede from a corner in the 93rd minute.”

The Shrews were awarded a controversial penalty by referee Martin Woods just before half-time when Curtis Nelson pulled down Max Mata but Tom Bayliss took the effort and blazed the ball over the bar.

But the home faithful did manage to see the back of the net ripple in the 56th minute. Taylor Perry was the creator as he stood up a cross from the byline and sent it to the back post.

It looked like Bayliss met the delivery first but Conor Hourihane was the last player to make contact before the ball nestled into the back of the net.

Warne said: “It’s a microcosm of our season. Really good in parts and create unbelievable opportunities and cannot hit the net.

“The second half, we went for it. We were open and knew we are going to concede opportunities but I was prepared to lose 2-0 as opposed to not going for it.

“There was numerous occasions I’m waiting for the net to ripple but it didn’t.

“Good teams find a way to win even if they play badly. I don’t think we played badly. We just didn’t take chances.

“We just didn’t have a cutting edge. A couple of times the keeper made a good save or a last-ditch block but you would expect us to take them chances.

“We cannot do anything but try and help the players all the time, so I am not going in there throwing cups around.

“It’s hugely disappointing to lose. It was a game we came here to win and had an aggressive system and that’s all we can do again.”

Shrews boss Matt Taylor was proud of his players.

He said: “The emotion that runs through your body on the touchline is indescribable at times because that win means so much for us.

“I believe Derby are one of the favourites this season with the players they have at their disposal.

“What we have done is won a game of football against them where we should have been more convincing.

“We missed the penalty. We had numerous chances to put ourselves in a better position but what an amazing feeling.

“The connection with the fans is building. The new players are understanding that.

“From my perspective, it’s the biggest crowd of the season and to be able to go and share that feeling with them is fantastic.

“The players are the ones that carry out the instructions we give them. They were immense; what a performance and what a result! I am really happy.”

The Rams have now won four of their five away games so far in League One, with only one victory coming at home.

“It’s the proudest I’ve been and probably the best performance since I’ve been here,” Warne said.

“I think away from home I would like 11 speedsters, that’s what I would like in my team. We don’t have 11 speedsters, we have two or three.

“So sometimes away from home you can play counter-attack, you don’t have to have the ball as much, but you have to be deadly when you have it and we have been.

“Our away form has been good. I think we’ve been pretty good at home but we just haven’t taken our chances but tonight we took harder chances than we’ve been creating at home and we’ve missed.”

After a goalless first half, Smith netted in the 54th minute to move Derby ahead, firing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s cutback into the top of the net.

Collins put the Rams further in front on 71 minutes only for Blackpool to hit straight back as Kenny Dougall headed home.

The Seasiders were inches away from an equaliser when the in-form Jordan Rhodes headed against the bar from 10 yards out.

Substitute Tom Barkhuizen restored Derby’s momentum, first seeing an attempt cleared off the line before teeing up Waghorn for a simple finish to ensure the victory.

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley said: “I’m disappointed about the result but not too downbeat.

“I thought it was a really good game, two good teams on the pitch. Derby changed their system, gave us an enormous amount of respect in the way they set up and produced the perfect away performance by defending in numbers and playing us on the break. And they produced moments of real quality.

“We played some really good football, I enjoyed our performance in the second half. Goals change games, we started the second half well but they scored.

“We hit the crossbar at 2-1. If that goes in the game is different.

“They scored when we were on top in the second half. We could have defended that better, but our players have shown spirit.

“We’ll play worse than that and win this season.”

Warne celebrated a home victory for the first time this season but Fleetwood made them sweat after Martyn Waghorn scored for the second game running.

Waghorn pounced in the 23rd minute after Conor Washington’s shot was deflected into his path and that proved the difference between the teams.

Fleetwood had chances, with Jayden Stockley heading against a post at the end of the first half before substitute Promise Omochere was denied by Joe Wildsmith in the 72nd minute.

Wildsmith made another good save from Junior Quitirna before Derby were able to celebrate at the final whistle.

Warne said: “It wasn’t our best performance and I‘m not even sure it was our best performance of the season but there are different ways to win and if ever there was a game to sum League One up it was probably today.

“In League One if you go 1-0 up and don’t get the second goal every single team you play is going to cross the ball and cause problems. We will play a lot better and lose so it’s just nice to get the win.

“I think everyone is giving their all, I’m not criticising it but it’s not a top-three team, that is my honest truth, you can’t ask players to play 46 games flat out, it’s not possible.

“They need help and we need to get bodies in with a bit of pace to make us a better team.”

Warne revealed he will be without three players, including key midfielder Max Bird, for up to eight weeks due to injuries.

“We’ve lost two right wing-backs and we’ve only got three wing-backs in the building and we’ve lost potentially our best player in the middle of the park so it is a massive blow but sometimes out of adversity comes something, the lads dug in and I’d like to dedicate the win to Birdy because I feel for him.”

Fleetwood head coach Scott Brown said: “We controlled the game for long periods but we switch off for that one second yet again and we’re not ruthless enough in the final third.

“You can’t ever fault the lads effort or the performance but it’s that final third which is killing us at the moment. We lose one goal and we don’t really look like we are going to score.

“I’m happy with performance levels and happy with the work rate but just not happy with that little bit of quality in the final third and we just need that little bit of luck.”

The Rams saw their promotion charge hit a major stumbling block at Sixfields where Sam Hoskins scored the only goal of the game.

Derby also had defender Sonny Bradley sent off for a straight red card in second-half stoppage-time.

“It’s obviously frustrating and disappointing,” admitted Warne. “I didn’t think we were amazing but I still felt we created enough chances to win the game.

“We had a bit of control in the first half, not a lot, but the goal we conceded was farcical and credit to Northampton, I congratulate them for the win.

“The chance they took was harder than the chances we missed and sometimes it’s determined on that and you need those moments to go your way but they didn’t today.

“We got more and more frustrated in the second half. There were a lot of stoppages and a lot of lying down and we just didn’t look very cohesive, that’s the honest truth.

“Northampton literally got every player behind the ball apart from one but we played too slow at times and we moved the ball side to side with no purpose.

“We should have moved it quicker but I felt like we wasted the first half and then in the second half, we’re always chasing it.

“We lost Nathaniel (Mendez-Laing) to injury, he’s done his hammy (hamstring), which is horrific news and Sonny’s been sent off at the end so as bad days go, it’s right up there.”

Northampton manager Jon Brady dedicated the win to the club’s chief executive James Whiting, who is currently recovering from illness in hospital.

“I’m so proud of the boys for that performance,” said Brady. “We’ve been through some tough moments recently but that win today was for James Whiting and we send him our best wishes.

“We’re a close-knit club and I’ve just texted him saying that one was for him today.

“We needed one or two blocks on the line and yes, they missed a good chance in the first half but we’ve scored a magnificent goal, a great cross and a brilliant finish – and we’ve also hit the post and we were also denied a stonewall penalty.

“Considering what’s happened with the players we have out and what people have said about us, that we’re on holiday, it’s one of our best wins of the season.

“You saw the commitment the players showed today, they worked so hard and it’s a really, really good performance.

“To beat Derby County with 10 players out is remarkable and everyone to a man was absolutely brilliant.”

Mendez-Laing has 19 goal involvements this season and hit the back of the net for the eighth time to move the Rams up to second in League One.

But he was forced off shortly after his 31st-minute strike due to a foot injury.

“It was disappointing to lose Nat, it’s a big blow for us,” said Warne.

“We’ll see how he is for next week. A stud has gone through his boot. He could’ve broke his foot, I don’t honestly know. He had a bit of blood.

“I think he should be OK. I don’t think it is too severe.”

Mendez-Laing’s injury overshadowed an otherwise straightforward day for the Rams boss.

“The lads were really good – I love a 1-0 away win,” Warne added.

“When they had to they defended well. There were some really good performances and we counter-attacked well.

“We probably could’ve done with a second goal to make it more enjoyable.

“Overall I’m buzzing. I don’t think our keeper made many saves.”

Charlton are set to appoint Nathan Jones and the former Luton, Southampton and Stoke boss watched from an executive box in the Alan Curbishley Stand.

He will inherit a side on a winless run of 12 league matches and sitting just three points above the relegation zone.

Charlton caretaker head coach Curtis Fleming – asked if he had been told that Jones was about to come in – said: “No, not really.

“I’m probably with you – we know something is going to happen.

“But until it is official then we have just got to keep plugging and going.

“He has looked at the game today and seen things I’d probably say he is happy with and also things that he will be thinking he can make a change with.

“We were causing them problems by playing directly. They didn’t really cause us a lot of problems and we had 60 per cent possession – we didn’t cause them enough problems for the areas we got into.

“The goal we gave away, it was self-inflicted. Three of the chances they had in the first half were from us.

“We spoke about the Blackpool game that they had eight chances and four of them came from us making those decisions and putting them on the front foot.

“I was disappointed with the goal. I like the way we shook ourselves off and went again, (but) we can’t keep conceding goals like that.”