Port Vale have denied reports claiming pop star Robbie Williams is preparing a bid to buy the club.

Williams, a lifelong fan of the League One side, was said to be considering a Wrexham-style takeover at Vale Park.

The 49-year-old former Take That star, whose solo hits include Angels, Let Me Entertain You and Come Undone, became the club’s president at the weekend and opened a new suite named after him.

But Vale, owned by businesswoman Carol Shanahan, say there are no plans in the pipeline for Williams to buy the club.

A Vale statement read: “We are aware of the ‘exclusive’ news that appeared in several national news outlets overnight and want to clarify the following:

“Robbie Williams has not made a bid to purchase Port Vale Football Club and there have been no conversations regarding that happening.

“Robbie and his team attended the match this past weekend, where he became club president and opened the suite that is now named after him.

“There are a number of positive club projects that both Carol and Robbie are exploring with the intention of anything delivered being in the best interests of Port Vale Football Club.

“As owners of the club, the Shanahan family remain fully committed to Port Vale FC.”

Vale are currently 20th in League One and lost 1-0 to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho felt the Sky Bet League One leaders “threw away” two points at Oxford.

Pompey came from behind at half-time to lead 2-1 – only for the U’s to snatch a point with a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

James Henry’s 90th minute header after goalkeeper Will Norris could only parry a Mark Harris shot salvaged a point for Oxford and took them back into the play-off places.

Tyler Goodrham had fired Oxford in front before Pompey turned it around through Colby Bishop’s 15th goal of the season and a debut goal from Callum Lang.

Mousinho said: “You could break the game down into three parts.

“In the first half we were very poor. In the second half we were good and deservedly got in front and then there was six minutes of madness at the end.

“I felt the pressure was building and building and building from us, and we got the second goal which was fully deserved, then we threw it away at the end.

“My big message to the players at half-time was that we were not showing enough bravery on the ball and we were going backwards too often, playing into Oxford’s hands.

“We deserved to be up…we let ourselves down in not having enough attacking players in the right positions and we weren’t positive enough in the first half.

“But we turned that around. It’s just that, at 2-2 with five minutes to go we’ve not locked the game up enough and that gives us a flat feeling.

“The two goals we conceded – I thought we were awful.

“It’s obviously nice to see Callum score, that was why we brought him into the football club to make an impact, and he’s done that straight away.”

Oxford head coach Des Buckingham said: “The pleasing thing for me is that, regardless of the changes we had to make because of injuries – to Fin Stevens and Jamie Cumming – is how this group stays together and how hard they work.

“Portsmouth are a good team, you’re not top for no reason, and we knew they would come hard at us for goals in the second half.

“But the pleasing thing for me is that at 2-1 down heads don’t drop and we deservedly got a second goal.

“I’m extremely happy with the reaction we showed at 2-1 down.

“The two goals we conceded were two scrappy goals, but it’s always hard as a goalkeeper coming on at half-time. I don’t think Simon Eastwood was at fault for either goal, we just need to defend better.”

Buckingham was booked late on for protesting at referee Darren Drysdale’s decision in not awarding a penalty when Goodrham appeared to be brought down.

“That’s the first yellow card of my professional career,” he said. “I was very unhappy with some of the decisions. But I can’t have a go at players for a lack of discipline if I don’t show discipline myself.

“When I came in as manager my assistant Craig Short said to me how James Henry always pops up with important goals at important times.

“He’s a model pro and I was delighted to see the goal he popped in tonight.

“Overall, it’s a good point and one we can take into our derby against Reading on Saturday.”

Substitute James Henry headed a 90th-minute equaliser to earn Oxford a 2-2 draw against Sky Bet League One leaders Portsmouth in a game that burst into life in the second half.

Tyler Goodrham shot the U’s in front in the 45th minute, taking Marcus McGuane’s pass and firing low past goalkeeper Will Norris and into the bottom corner after a pacy break.

Colby Bishop prodded the ball home from a yard to level in the 69th minute after a scramble in Oxford’s box when grounded keeper Simon Eastwood appeared to have the ball under control but then lost it.

It was Bishop’s 15th goal of the season.

Callum Lang, making his Pompey debut after signing from Wigan just three days ago, came off the bench in the 62nd minute – and with 10 minutes to go he flicked the ball past Eastwood from 12 yards after poor defending to put John Mousinho’s team 2-1 up.

But Oxford snatched a draw which takes them back into the play-off places when Norris parried Mark Harris’ shot and Henry nodded in from close range.

Fleetwood boss Charlie Adam backed Promise Omochere to learn from the sending off that contributed to his side surrendering a 2-0 lead at Wycombe.

Omochere poked home an opening goal but, after Jayden Stockley had made it 2-0, the 23-year-old went from hero to zero when he flew into a challenge and was shown a second yellow just before the half-time whistle.

Second-half goals from Garath McCleary and Richard Kone then saw the Chairboys fight back to make it 2-2 and deny League One’s bottom side a precious victory.

Adam said: “I think frustration really, when you look at it, the sending off changes the game really, doesn’t it? That first-half performance was as good as I’ve seen from this Fleetwood team this season.

“I thought we were excellent, with the game plan we gave to them and we stuck to it and we deserved the two goals lead.

“We could sit here and we could talk about everything (in detail), but ultimately you’ve got to learn from that. (Promise) is a young player, he’ll learn from that.

“But again, when you’re in the 45th minute of the game you have to be a little bit smarter in terms of decision making. Ultimately the players gave me everything and we’ve come away with a point

“We have to build from this. I think that performance will give them a real enthusiasm to really go on and be hungry for the rest of the season. Eighteen games to go and we’re looking forward to a massive challenge.”

The Cod Army took the lead in the 13th minute when Omochere poked home Harry Boyes’ smart low cross.

Stockley nodded home his fifth of the season to double the lead before a reckless lunge on David Wheeler earned Omochere that second yellow.

Wycombe upped the pressure and won a second-half penalty but Luke Leahy was denied by a fantastic save from Joe Lynch.

Another handball gifted the Chairboys a second opportunity from the spot, and this time McCleary confidently dispatched the ball into the roof of the net.

Kone saw a 75th-minute header ruled out for offside, but his smart finish eight minutes later earned the hosts a point.

Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield said: “I thought we were very poor in the first half. Looking for reasons for that – trying to be as honest as I can – I think we’ve been pretty good recently but we kind of shot ourselves
in the foot because when we don’t get the results that we deserve that brings extra emphasis and pressure on every single game.

“And then we turn up and we weren’t good enough first half. Nowhere near it. And the boys know that, they’re honest enough with themselves and maybe it gets built up to something because it’s [against] a team that’s not on a great run themselves.

“I thought second half we showed a real desire.”

Reading assistant manager James Oliver-Pearce believes that the players are “pushing their bodies” to the limit in a bid to escape League One relegation after a 1-1 draw with Orient.

Orient went ahead in the 19th minute when Tom Holmes carelessly handled in the area and Dan Agyei slotted home the resultant penalty.

But Reading drew level four minutes later, Harvey Knibbs sliding in his 12th goal of the season from close range.

“The guys worked really hard and that’s what we expect them to do, to keep pushing and pushing,” Oliver-Pearce said.

“It’s a non-negotiable for us. You want to win a game of football and if that requires you to put your body on the line, they have to do it.

“I thought that we were excellent in the first 20 minutes. That’s some of the best football we’ve probably played for a while.

“We had lots of momentum and we caused Orient a lot of problems.

“To concede the goal was frustrating. It wasn’t an intentional handball but it was clear for everyone to see. These things happen.

“But our reaction to it was excellent.

“I thought that we were in control for most of the first half and, in the second half, Orient were not just going to continue to let us do what we had been doing.

“We knew things would be difficult and they made us do things that we probably didn’t want to end up doing.

“Both sides probably had a big chance in the second half but I think that, all in all, a point each is a fair reflection.

Reading manager Ruben Selles was unable to speak afterwards due to losing his voice during the game.

“His voice just went,” Oliver-Pearce said. “It wasn’t even a gradual thing. He went to shout and it had just gone.”

Orient are now unbeaten in six games.

“It could have gone either way but I thought that Reading were very good in the first 20 minutes,” Orient head coach Richie Wellens said.

“We had problems with their full backs rotating in.

“We got a bit lucky in going 1-0 up, they were the better team. We needed to change a few things tactically but they scored just when we had changed it.

“But we were pretty good after that, for the rest of the first half, and I thought that we were pretty dominant in the second half.

“We couldn’t go on and win it but Reading have got good players and they are always a threat from the front three.

“I know that Reading have had a lot of issues [off the pitch] but they’re fighting for their manager and they’re fighting for their club. Every credit to them.”

Stevenage manager Steve Evans admitted he wanted to kiss Carl Piergianni after his captain’s vital goal helped to see off Wigan in a five-goal Sky Bet League One thriller.

The Latics had twice led through Josh Magennis (penalty) and Thelo Aasgaard, and held a 2-1 interval advantage.

But after Jamie Reid had found the first equaliser, Piergianni was on hand to head home midway through the second period to make it 2-2, before substitute Louis Thompson secured all three points in the last 10 minutes.

“The performance had to be great to win here, particularly as we have two big individual errors for their goal,” said Evans.

“What we said at half-time was we’re not going to change anything, we were in the game, and we would be sitting 1-0 up had we not done the individual errors.

“But the honesty and integrity we have in the dressing room, both lads walked in with their hands up and apologising to me and the staff and the group – which they didn’t need to do.

“In the second half, we fought our way back in and we dominated for long spells.

“They’re always threatening on the counter attack, but our ‘captain fantastic’ comes up with another brilliant header.

“He’s a man that…yes, I would kiss him! And he knows what I think of him.

“All the changes we made were to win the game, and I know a lot of clubs in that position would be trying to hang on to a point.

“But you’re always better trying to win a game and be prepared to lose it than not trying to win a football match.

“That’s why our supporters have travelled so far, to see us try to win a game, and that’s what we’ll always try to do.”

For Wigan boss Shaun Maloney, it was a frustrating afternoon as his side were unable to cope with Stevenage’s tactics.

“We didn’t defend our box anywhere near enough from the long balls and the set-plays, we struggled in both of those areas,” he said.

“Yeah it’s tough…it’s never nice to lose, and never nice to lose at home. It’s very disappointing.

“Stevenage are brilliant at what they do, they’re extremely competitive on and off the pitch, and I really respect what they do.

“We’ve had games this season when we’ve had 30 per cent possession and we’ve had to dig in, so I have no issue with the way Stevenage play.

“We’re trying to do things very differently, but there’s more than one way to win a game of football.

“A lot of teams in this league find it very hard to play against them, so I can’t be too angry at my players.

“I asked the players to play under big pressure, to try to control the game, and we did for large parts.

“But in the most important part of the game, defending our own box, we didn’t get right, and that’s the reason we got beat.

“We just have to remember these types of games, for the rest of this season and beyond.

“Because these are the types of games you have to win if you’re to have any chance of doing something – and I know we’re not in that position yet – and fighting for the top six.”

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho condemned a fan entering the field of play in protest against the awarding of a late penalty that secured his team a 1-0 win at Port Vale.

The home supporters were absolutely incensed as they felt they had a strong claim for a free-kick on Ethan Chislett, moments before Conor Grant brought down Abu Kamara in the box.

Referee Craig Hicks pointed to the spot, though, and leading marksman Colby Bishop converted in the 88th minute to keep Pompey top of the League One table.

A couple of minutes later after play had re-started, the fan entered the pitch and attempted to confront Hicks from behind.

Having seen the fan closing in on him, Hicks ran away before stewards stepped in and dealt with the situation.

“First of all we don’t want to see any of that on a football pitch,” Mousinho said.

“It was a really bizarre incident.

“Thankfully nothing happened and the referee managed to evade the fan. Just very, very strange.

“But I think for the boys to compose themselves after that – there’s some really young lads out on the pitch as well – and make sure they then dealt with the barrage after that for six or seven minutes, that’s how you win games I think at any level, but particularly at this level.

“If you go 1-0 up late away from home, you’re going to have to sustain attacks and corners and crosses, and we did that really well.”

Port Vale released a statement shortly after the conclusion of the match, condemning the actions of the individual.

“We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual is dealt with a zero tolerance approach,” it read.

“We remind all supporters that entering the field of play is a criminal offence.”

Valiants boss Andy Crosby believes the initial challenge on Chislett was by no means a definite foul.

“I think the initial challenge with Chis and their player, having looked at it now, I think it could have gone either way – I’ve got to be honest,” he said.

“The referee had a decent view of it.

“Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.

“And then obviously the ball breaks into the box and taking that incident in isolation, I think then it’s a penalty yeah.

“We’ve got a set of players who are representing the club and care about it.

“We don’t want to lose games of football obviously, so when you concede a goal in that manner late in the game against the league leaders, obviously it’s frustrating and people are angry.

“But we have to look at that and learn lessons from that game like we do every one, and focus on the next one.”

Ian Evatt is smitten again after Bolton turned on the style to climb back into the top two in Sky Bet League One.

First-half goals from Zac Ashworth and Paris Maghoma plus a stoppage-time double from Kyle Dempsey and debutant Nat Ogbeta saw Wanderers keep up the pressure on leaders Portsmouth.

“It looked like the team we have come to know and love,” purred boss Evatt as the Trotters avenged last October’s 3-1 defeat the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

“We looked back to ourselves and we could have had more. We are a hard team to contain when we do the things we are coached to do.

“We were incredible in the first half and waiting for the goals to go in.”

Evatt, however, was not entirely satisfied. He felt Jordan Gibson’s consolation should have been disallowed, claiming Carlisle took a throw to start the move from the wrong spot.

He also believed Bolton substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s goal at 2-1 was wrongly disallowed for offside.

“This is a tough place to come and so intimidating,” added Evatt. “I have been shouted and abused for 90 minutes but it’s part of the game and you’ve got to accept it.

“We were a little bit safe at the start of the second half, trying to protect something (the lead). That is not us.

“But their goal kick-started us back into life. We were ruthless and clinical in the last 10 minutes.”

On Ashworth’s first Football League goal, Evatt grinned: “Zac’s cross was amazing to start proceedings.

“It was off the shinpad. But the most important thing was he was in the right position and we found him in the correct way.

“Sometimes you deserve the luck you are given,” added the Wanderers chief.

Bolton looked set to move top of the table until Portsmouth squeezed home at Port Vale, while Carlisle dropped to bottom spot, only reprieved by Fleetwood’s failure to kill off Wycombe.

“There were lots of things that were wrong, in the first half in particular,” said Cumbrians manager Paul Simpson.

“We had a bit more energy in the second half with the changes we made and got a good goal from Jordan Gibson. But we didn’t do enough to go and get a second.

“The truth of it is we got what we deserved because they were the better side.

“It’s clear we don’t score enough goals, we haven’t retained the ball well enough and the goals are poor ones to give away.

“We have to do more than we are doing. We are showing we’re not doing enough.

“There were lots of things we didn’t do well enough from a group of players who I believe are better than they are showing.”

Curtis Fleming insisted Charlton “should not be afraid of any team” following a battling point at Blackpool.

Fleming took interim charge of the Addicks in midweek following the sacking of Michael Appleton and saw his side come from a goal down to earn a draw courtesy of Marvin Ekpiteta’s 69th-minute own goal following Karamoko Dembele’s second-half opener.

Charlton remain without a win since November and sit four points above the Sky Bet League One relegation zone, but Fleming is optimistic a change in fortunes is around the corner.

“It was a good point for us, and a good reward for the endeavour we showed,” he said.

“Sometimes you need that little bit of luck, and we had a bit of that today, but I think we deserved a point.

“I was pleased with the togetherness we showed in coming back into the game and that’s something that’ll stand the lads in good stead going forward.

“We’re a good team and we’ve got a full week ahead of us now to make sure we’re fully prepared for the next game.

“Maybe we haven’t always shown the good things for the full 90 minutes much lately, but we can play some good stuff.

“I don’t think we should be afraid of any team in this league. We definitely have the personnel to go out there and win games.”

Blackpool came into the game with the best home record in League One, and Hayden Coulson saw an effort cleared off the line before Kyle Joseph was twice denied by the woodwork.

The Seasiders broke the deadlock when Dembele met Albie Morgan’s pass before drilling low into the corner, but their lead was cancelled out when Alfie May’s shot deflected in off Ekpiteta.

The hosts are three points adrift of the play-off spots and manager Neil Critchley rued a missed opportunity to apply further pressure on the sides above them.

“It’s disappointing really because we probably should have been out of sight by half-time,” he said.

“We were more purposeful than them in the first half and we played right on the front foot, but it just wasn’t enough by the end of it.

“We were missing a goal quite badly, and then when we got one, I thought we would have had enough to go on and win the game.

“We get the first goal and we had the game in our grasp, but we’ve let it slip and that’s frustrating for everyone.

“We’ve hit the bar, the post and had one cleared off the line, and then they get that bit of luck with their equaliser.

“It’s a point, though, we’re unbeaten in four games now, so we have to keep moving forward.”

Matt Taylor picked out Bristol Rovers’ first-half performance and the form of striker Chris Martin as the foundations for a first Sky Bet League One victory in five games.

Martin and Luke Thomas found the net inside the first quarter of the match to put the Pirates in control, and after Mark Harris had pulled one back, Harvey Vale sealed Rovers’ first win of 2024.

“We took responsibility and played forward more and got ourselves up the pitch,” said Taylor. “We know we’ve got enough quality if we’re there to hurt the opposition.

“So I was pleased with that start and then the goals were a bonus. Two really good goals (in the first half). Chris Martin’s in terms of a breakaway and a cross, and he’s in fantastic form at the moment.

“We spoke about Tuesday (defeat at home to Exeter) but we were missing key personnel. You just see a bit more life in that team today.

“You could just sense a bit more confidence in that whole back line on the back of the goalkeeper and those experienced defenders as well (James Wilson and George Friend returning from injury; Jed Ward starting his first league game this season),” Taylor added.

Oxford manager Des Buckingham also pinpointed the first half and the goals his side conceded, as the hosts got on top.

“First half we’ve given away two cheap goals and when you do that away from home it’s very difficult,” said Buckingham.

“We responded really well in the second half and the goalkeeper has picked up man of the match for them.

“We created the chances but just couldn’t get ourselves back in after getting the one and as we chased the game we left ourselves vulnerable. We need to be better,” he said.

Buckingham feels his team are hamstrung by having five important players in the treatment room, while the 38-year-old also hopes to add more new faces before the end of the January transfer window.

“It’s a tough ground to come to,” he said. “They went quite direct and we dealt with most of it but the two chances they did get they made the most of, the first from a very acute angle and the second from the edge of the box where we don’t quite get a foot on the ball.

“We’re limited at the moment in how we want to set up. I want to play with two wingers – we can’t quite do that – we’re still looking for one or two.

“If we can get them in before Tuesday night that will help us for then (against Portsmouth). If we can’t then the window is open until Thursday and it will be for next Saturday against Reading,” said Buckingham.

Paul Warne admitted his Derby side “got away with one” after they came from behind to beat struggling Cheltenham 2-1.

The head coach saw his team struggle before two moments of quality from Max Bird and James Collins rescued Derby.

Cheltenham unsettled County and thoroughly deserved to take the lead five minutes into the second half through Liam Sercombe, whose deflected shot bobbled into the bottom right corner.

The goal was greeted with boos from the home fans, but they were cheering 10 minutes later when Bird curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Cheltenham thought they should have had a penalty when George Lloyd went down under Louie Sibley’s challenge, but Derby won it in the 80th minute when Collins acrobatically volleyed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s cross past Luke Southwood.

Warne said: “I don’t think we deserved a win.

“Cheltenham played the pitch better than we did, it was definitely a game for winter football. They stretched us first half, they ran in behind, didn’t give us any time on the ball and we didn’t show any character on the ball.

“We played safe, we didn’t have any aggression in our game, so we get booed off at half-time which is understandable.

“But fair play to the lads, you can crumble and feel sorry for yourself, but we kept going and two amazing bits of class got us back in it.

“We definitely gave away a penalty and we definitely got away with one.

“Cheltenham were more than value for one point and played the game possibly better than us. We haven’t played great, but we’ve won which is a good sign.”

Cheltenham manager Darrell Clarke said: “Frustration again, there was a blatant penalty and I was very frustrated how we defended the set-piece.

“The game plan was working well, we were frustrating the crowd, we got the lead and so it’s disappointing to come away with nothing.

“We’ve played Portsmouth, Bolton, Derby and I thought to get three points, we warranted more, the performances warranted more, but we haven’t got more so we can’t be victims, we can’t let that affect us.

“We haven’t got what we deserved, but that’s football so we have to get back on the training pitch and get better at the things we aren’t doing so well.

“The lads are fighting, the application is good, but the game’s about inches and I’ve got some players who can kick their careers on if they narrow down those inches.

“A good honest group, but can they raise those quality levels, can we manage situations better? Individually and collectively as a team we have to be better at that.”

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell praised his side’s first-half performance after a 2-1 victory away at Barnsley.

Jack Aitchison and Reece Cole netted for the Grecians before Mael de Gevigney pulled one back for the Tykes.

Caldwell said: “First half was outstanding football right from the start of the game. We dominated possession, we dominated territory, we dominated chances.

“It was as good as I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club. It could’ve been any score, 2-0 was very fair on Barnsley.

“Again, we always want to improve, we always want to be better – can we be more ruthless in that first half and make it three, four, five.

“But I thought the players were absolutely amazing after a difficult game on Tuesday (against Bristol Rovers), physically.

“They came and just took the game straight form the off.”

On his side’s football in the first 45 minutes, Caldwell said: “Tactically, we changed, we built in a back four, we dropped our full-backs deeper, we asked a lot of questions of them when they tried to jump from full-back.

“The players carried out the gameplan to a letter. Their bravery, their understanding was absolutely sensational and we created chances from that.

“Scored two brilliant goals, could’ve scored more. Without a doubt it was excellent.

“Similarly, to Tuesday, we showed different qualities and had to really dig in and fight to see the game out.”

Barnsley head coach Neill Collins was unhappy with his side’s display.

He said: “I think we were off it in every aspect of the game. I don’t think there was one positive outside of Mael (De Gevigney).

“He kind of held us together in the first half in terms of showing that desire and battle to, despite how poor we were, hold us together.

“Outside of that we were devoid of energy, enthusiasm, quality. So, it was a very difficult first half to watch.”

On his side’s poor first-half performance, Collins said: “Today, it was just across the whole pitch, we just lacked intensity from the start.

“You’re asking me the reasons; I think we’ll look at a lot. Right now, still emotional and frustrated about it.

“I think there’s a lot we’ll need to just consider when we’re as poor as that.”

On players missing through injury and illness, Collins said: “You see the second half and the team showed the other night we’re still more than capable of winning games of football.

“So, I don’t think that is the sole reason. I think the team is more than capable, but I just don’t think we got that intensity and energy right from the start.

“I think a lot of our quality that we have comes from getting that part right.”

Neil Harris labelled referee Ed Duckworth “atrocious” after Cambridge’s draw with Burton.

The Sky Bet League One clash ended goalless and the U’s left frustrated after failing to break the visitors down despite Steve Seddon being sent off for the third time this season.

Cambridge enjoyed the better of the chances even before the red card in the 64th minute and dominated the closing stages but were unable to break through.

“We were miles the better team. We all know that,” Harris said. “We were miles better 11-v-11, we were miles better 11-v-10.

“So there are loads and loads of positives but we didn’t do the important thing and that’s putting the ball in the net.

“I just said to the boys that everything I asked for in the play was there other than…that final decision-making which was little bit off at times.

“I’ve been praising the players when they do well; I’m entitled to say ‘come on, I need a little bit more than that in the final third’.

“I thought the referee got the decision right, it was a second yellow card. I thought the referee was atrocious. He caused a lot of the problems.

“It was disappointing but that didn’t stop us winning the game. Not winning the game was down to our decision-making. We did enough today to get to the final third, just in those final moments we need to make sure we’re a lot better in the future.”

Burton boss Martin Paterson praised his side’s resilience as they secured a point on the road.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what the boys have done today, and I’m ever so proud,” Paterson said.

“They had moments, but I thought the group were fantastic in the way they defended, especially when they went down to 10 men.

“There are things in the first half that I think we can improve, quite quickly. I made them aware of that: not bad, good result but there’s things we can massively improve.

“We didn’t start the game as well as we could have done. I thought they were good. Everyone forgets that. You look at it intrinsically but then you don’t look at the opposition. So credit to them, I thought they were good.

“They’ve got players who have played in the Premier League, so you’re never always going to get your own way, but the group dug in and they showed the framework of what they do.

“At the moment in this division it’s really hard to get points away from home. The defensive unit were excellent, and again I’m going to use the word ‘proud’.”

New boss Paul Hurst was delighted as his Shrewsbury team claimed a fully-deserved win over in-form Northampton in Sky Bet League One at Sixfields on Saturday.

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.”

Darren Ferguson cut a frustrated figure after his promotion-chasing Peterborough side were held to a goalless draw at Lincoln.

Posh dominated possession but found chances few and far between as they slipped out of the automatic League One promotion places.

Ricky-Jade Jones came closest when he hit the bar late in the first half.

The draw extended the visitors’ unbeaten run to 12 games, but Ferguson said: “It was very frustrating. It was a very disappointing performance.

“The first half was as bad as we’ve played for a long time.

“I don’t know why. The game went the way we felt it would with them sitting in.

“But there was nothing about us. Too slow, no tempo, too many touches, people trying things in the middle of the pitch they didn’t need to do. It was really, really disappointing.

“It’s not often that I make subs at half time. We started a little bit better in the second half, but we just lacked any real quality.

“The first time we did what we worked on, we hit the bar and nearly scored. But we didn’t do it enough.

“We were off today. That’s the poorest we’ve been for a long time.”

Michael Skubala’s Imps secured a second successive goalless draw after also shutting out Derby last weekend.

But their winless run now stands at nine games, with their last victory coming at the end of November.

City had the better of the chances but failed to score for a fourth game in six.

Skubala said: “Peterborough for me are a top team, they’re great with the ball.

“We knew we wouldn’t have more of the ball than them and it was about personnel and shape to stop them.

“We thought we could hurt them on the counter and after 90 minutes we’ve had some good chances.

“A point’s good, but I thought we did enough to win it.

”We had to be aggressive still. We couldn’t be passive and I think the lads are getting it now. They know how aggressive we want them to be.

“I’m really pleased with the effort, we’re pleased with the point, but sometimes you just think it got away from you, especially some of the chances you’ve had.

“The back line was phenomenal against again. You know they’re going to have moments when they open you up.

“I’ve watched them over the last five or six games open teams up a lot and they weren’t able to do that today.”