I thought we played well, created the better chances and should have won the game. As at Burton a couple of weeks ago, so much of our game was good and I think we are a decent finisher - or a fully firing Hemmings - away from being a good side.
In the first half Northampton had a lot of possession and pressure, but we defended our eighteen yard box well and restricted them to scraps. At the other end we always looked an attacking threat and had by far the better chances: there was a good save by their keeper from Hawkes and an excellent double save from Hemmings and Lewis, which we should have finished.
In the second half Northampton ran out of ideas and we were clearly the better side. It said it all that the hosts made five changes, none of which gave them any kind of attacking momentum. In the final twenty minutes it was Rovers who were pushing to win the game and further good chances went begging: Hemmings poked wide after a good move and an excellent cross from Bristow should have been attacked and finished. I agree with Boz that Doohan's handling and positioning was generally sound, but he literally had no difficult saves to make all afternoon. The Northampton fans I spoke to on the way back to the train all commented that we were the better side and their keeper kept them in it: Burge won the host's man of the match award.
Individually, I thought Morris was back to something like his best and played well, and Cogley and Merrie both had decent games. His finishing aside, Hemmings had his best game for a few weeks and his link play and movement was very good. His hearty applause of the fans at the end of the game suggested that he had enjoyed himself, which is a good sign in terms of his confidence.
Byrne did ok at centre half, but Davies was absolutely superb and a one-man defence for much of the afternoon. The clear man of the match.