Northampton 3-0 Exeter: Taylor, Cresswell inspire win

Northampton Town made it two league wins out of two after easing to a 3-0 victory over Exeter City.

First-half goals from Jason Taylor and Ryan Cresswell put the hosts 2-0 up inside 40 minutes before Marc Richards wrapped up the win late on.

Exeter threatened early when Tom Nicholls and Christian Ribeiro was denied by Adam Smith.

Nicky Adams should have done better but failed to seriously test Exeter's Bobby Olejnik before the Cobblers broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when a clearance fell nicely for Taylor on the edge of the box and his volley flew into the top corner.

Both sides continued to create openings and Nicholls was denied by a last-gasp challenge from Josh Lelan after he burst into the box.

But Cresswell doubled Northampton's advantage in the 38th minute when he headed home a deep corner from Adams.

Alfie Potter should have added a third goal after the restart but he blazed over with the goal at his mercy after Olejnik had saved from Lawson D'Ath but it took a fine save from Smith to deny substitute Will Hoskins after he raced clear.

Troy Brown headed wide from a corner and Nicholls was denied by Smith but Cobblers added a third goal in the 90th minute when Richards swept home a low cross from substitute Ricky Holmes.