Northampton boss Jon Brady was full of praise for Tony Springett after he scored a stoppage-time equaliser to clinch a point in a 2-2 League One draw at near-neighbours Oxford.
The on-loan Norwich winger showed good composure with a tidy finish in a crowded goalmouth after collecting Will Hoskins’ left-wing cross for his first league goal.
Brady said: “It was an excellent moment for Tony and I’m really pleased for him. He’s had to be patient for his opportunities.
“He came on today and the little dummy he did just before when the ball comes across goal… he’s calm enough to move the defender and it was an excellent finish.
“It was a fantastic point overall and I’m very pleased for the boys.
“I felt we were very disciplined in our approach tonight and clinical.
“We reduced them to a lot of shots from distance. (Goalkeeper) Louie Moulden came to the fore right at the end but apart from that, they didn’t really trouble us.”
Oxford led through Josh Murphy’s thunderbolt in the fifth minute but Cobblers levelled through Will Hondermarck, 10 minutes before the break.
Will Goodwin scored his first goal for the U’s by diverting in Owen Dale’s cross in the 81st minute to put Oxford 2-1 up, but Springett earned Northampton a point with his composed finish in the third minute of stoppage-time.
Brady added: “The first goal that we conceded, we’ve got to do better.
“Our players are absolutely excellent in terms of discipline and work rate.
“After conceding early tonight we showed immense character out of possession and I can’t really remember them troubling us apart from distance and our own mistakes.
“They can have all the possession they wanted tonight, it was how we dealt with it out of possession and I felt we controlled the game that way.”
The U’s have now drawn five of their last six matches to sit fifth in the table but have played two games more than seventh-placed Stevenage.
Oxford head coach Des Buckingham said: “We picked an attacking line-up and to score after only five or six minutes put us on a good front foot.
“We did enough with the changes we made in the second half to get back in front and then it was a matter of making sure we manage those final few minutes.
“There’s a big hint of offside with Northampton’s second goal, but there were still many things we could have done better after that moment.
“It’s frustrating to leave with what we thought would be three points and end up with the one.
“We’re six games unbeaten and I know people don’t want to hear that because most of them are draws rather than wins.
“The most important thing is we’re picking up results and it keeps us in and around where we want to be.
“We’ll get better and get stronger every week.”
Emotional Endrick unveiled after 'dream' Real Madrid move
An emotional Endrick says it is a "dream" to play for Real Madrid after being unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian from Palmeiras in December 2022, but he could not formally join the club until his 18th birthday, which he celebrated on July 21.
Endrick has penned a six-year contract with Los Blancos after signing for an initial fee of €35million, though that could rise by a further €25million in add-ons.
The youngster, who will wear the number 16 shirt, was tearful at his stadium presentation, telling the fans he had realised a long dream.
"This is crazy," Endrick said. "I am so happy since I was a kid, I have always been a Madrid fan, and now I am going to play for Madrid.
"I am here, I am going to play, I am so happy. My family are as well. I don't have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality."
Endrick became the youngest player to feature for Palmeiras, making his debut at the age of 16 in October 2022, and going on to make 82 appearances, scoring 21 goals.
Since making his debut for Brazil last year, he has netted three times in 10 appearances for his national side and was part of their Copa America squad.
Endrick will be part of Madrid's pre-season tour in the United States later this month when they will play three games against Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Postecoglou hails 'fantastic' youngster Moore after late Vissel Kobe winner
Ange Postecoglou saluted "fantastic" Mikey Moore, after the teenager struck a late winner in Tottenham's J-League World Challenge clash with Vissel Kobe.
The 16-year-old was the hero with his 88th-minute strike sealing a 3-2 victory at the Japan National Stadium in what was Spurs' first match in their preseason tour of the Far East.
Academy graduate Moore became Tottenham's youngest Premier League player when, aged 16 years and 277 days, he made his senior debut against Manchester City in the penultimate game of last season.
And Postecoglou insists the England youth international, who has scored 10 goals in 12 appearances at under-17 level, is deserving of his first-team opportunities.
"Mikey has been fantastic since we brought him in," he told reporters during his post-match press conference. "He's earned his spot on the roster at the moment; he did at the end of last year.
"He got a run with the first team because we could see in training that he was handling himself really well, and that's followed through into pre-season training.
"He's been good in all the games; he probably should have had three tonight, but he did take his goal well by being in the right areas.
"All we can do is keep allowing him to develop. We have to remember that, last year, he had some injuries, and he is only 16.
"I think the future with a lot of our young guys looks pretty promising, but it's our responsibility to make sure they realise their potential and continue to work hard at their game."
Spurs made it three wins from three during preseason, following their 5-1 and 2-0 victories over Hearts and Queens Park Rangers respectively.
"I thought it was a good game," Postecoglou added. "The conditions did make it difficult for both teams, and we've had a hard week of training.
"Credit to the boys. I thought we played some decent football, and they put in as much effort as they humanly could out there.
"You want to provide some sort of entertainment for the supporters who made a great turnout tonight, not just Spurs supporters, but football supporters in general. It's always nice to give back in that way and, overall, I was pleased."
Atletico and Sociedad reach agreement over Le Normand transfer
Atletico Madrid have "reached an agreement" with Real Sociedad over the signing of Robin Le Normand.
The Spain defender, who was part of the side that won Euro 2024, will finalise his move to Atleti "in the coming days" for a fee believed to be in the region of €34.5million.
French-born Le Normand started his career with Brest before spending eight years with Txuri-Urdin, for whom he made 221 senior appearances across all competitions, while winning the 2019-20 Copa del Rey.
The 27-year-old is fresh from international success in Germany, where he played in six of Spain's seven matches, while he also helped La Roja win the Nations League last year.
A statement on Atletico's official website read: "Atletico and Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transfer of Le Normand. The deal will be finalised in the coming days when the player returns from his holiday.
Meanwhile, Sociedad wrote on X: "We'll always remember his dedication and gratitude to the colours that have shaped him into the player he is today. Good luck."
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