Chris Hogg saw ‘flashes of potential’ as Northampton overcame 10-man Grimsby

Northampton boss Chris Hogg said the performance of his side up until the opening goal in their 2-0 away win over Grimsby had everything he wants to see from them going forward.

Matty Warhurst scored past the half-hour mark to give the visitors the lead at Blundell Park following a dominant opening, and skipper John Guthrie added a second after the break to seal a first away win of the season.

Edon Pruti was shown a straight red for the Mariners soon after the second goal and was injured in the effort as Northampton saw out a vital three points.

“That’s the performance and result we’ve been working towards,” said Hogg.

“For the first half-hour, it was everything I wanted my team to look like in terms of how we played, the organisation, the structure, how we won duels and how we attacked.

“We were really pleased with that part and then managed to get to half-time and reassess.

“The biggest difference this weekend is that we got the second goal, which was key because with Grimsby’s style of play, they are always in the game.

“We’re delighted with the result, but there is always a sour taste with the injury to the Grimsby player (Pruti), even if the red card was a correct call.

“I think we’ve seen flashes of the potential this group has got but we just need to be clinical moving forward.”

Pruti was carried off on a stretcher after staying down from the challenge, which saw him receive a straight red card, and Grimsby chief David Artell provided an update.

Artell said: “As far as we’re aware it’s a double leg break, so we’ll get an update from him as soon as possible.

“I don’t understand how someone can break his leg and get sent off in the same breath; to me that is mental, but I’m not interested in speaking about the ref.”

On the game itself, a fourth straight league defeat for the first time in his near three-year stint as Grimsby boss leaves Artell with a lingering frustration over missed opportunities across those matches.

He added: “I thought we weren’t very good in the first 20 minutes, but then we did find our feet a little bit.

“They came flying at us and we didn’t seem to grasp their press, so we got instructions on and improved, but then shot ourselves in the foot to concede.

“We could’ve conceded more in that period so we thought we had got out of jail, but then mistakes are costly.

“We haven’t then taken our chances. Our xG is nearly double theirs so we’ve had more than enough to change the course of the game, but if you don’t take them, you don’t win games.”