Northampton pair at the double

Kaid Mohamed and Marc Richards helped themselves to two goals apiece as Northampton thumped Hartlepool 5-1.

Charlie Wyke had given Hartlepool a first-minute lead, beating Jordan Archer from 12 yards after being picked out by Tommy Miller, but that was as good as it got for Pools. Ryan Cresswell went close with a header before Richards equalised from a 12th minute penalty after Stuart Parnaby fouled Mohamed. Chris Hackett and Lawson D'Ath both had efforts saved by Scott Flinders before Cobblers took a 20th minute lead through former Cheltenham striker Mohamed who beat the Hartlepool goalkeeper from 10 yards. Jonathan Franks and Jack Compton were off target as Hartlepool looked to get back on level terms but Cobblers increased their lead in the 35th minute when Mohamed headed home from Hackett's delivery. Substitute Marlon Harewood went close with a header for the visitors but Mohamed almost completed his hat-trick either side of the break, heading over from Hackett's corner in stoppage-time before being denied by Flinders just after the restart. Mohamed and Joel Byrom went close for Cobblers in the second half before D'Ath made it 4-1 in the 67th minute, converting from close range after being set up by Hackett. And Richards crowned a great performance when he grabbed his second goal in the 76th minute after Mohamed turned provider.