Erwin bags late Latics winner

Photo: Alan Howarth

LATE GOAL . . . Lee Erwin

NORTHAMPTON 1, ATHLETIC 2

LEE Erwin's late goal earned Athletic three huge points at Sixfields.

The substitute struck a 90th-minute winner with his left foot from 18 yards out, low to the left of goalkeeper Adam Smith, to spark jubilant scenes from the travelling faithful.

John-Joe O'Toole's equaliser in the 84th minute had appeared to earn a draw for the hosts. The midfielder crashed the ball home from close range after Connor Ripley had saved well from close range only to see the ball squirm under his body.

Earlier, Tope Obadeyi had converted from close range at the far post in the 23rd minute after a strong break from Ryan McLaughlin led to Aaron Amadi-Holloway crossing left-footed to the far post.

Michael Smith missed a glorious chance to level, firing wide on the volley before Ryan Flynn failed to keep the ball down when presented with a shooting chance inside the box.

Keshi Anderson forced Ripley into a very sharp save shortly after the break in an end-to-end played on a lovely surface.

Erwin went close before O'Toole's leveller, forcing a good stop from Smith, before he went one better at the death.