Monday 6 May 2013 11:08, UK
Aidy Boothroyd was quick to hail Lee Nicholls after the goalkeeper inspired Northampton to the League Two play-off final.
A wonder goal from Luke Guttridge was enough to seal their place at Wembley against Bradford at the expense of Cheltenham following a 2-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals. But Nicholls kept his side's 1-0 lead from Thursday's first leg intact with a fine save from Marlon Pack's 14th-minute penalty. Nicholls went on to make several outstanding saves over the course of the match, much to Boothroyd's joy. "I thought he was outstanding," the Northampton boss said. "I was fortunate at my previous club to work with (West Brom goalkeeper) Ben Foster and I genuinely think Lee is as good as he is. "We are very pleased but you have to feel for your opponents - it's not nice to go out in the semi-finals. Respect to them as they have put us right under the cosh. "We didn't do a lot with the ball but we were strong and resolute. I think that our last few away games have seen us play well so I was quietly confident. We played to win the game. "The triangle of Lee Nicholls, Nathan Cameron and Clarke Carlisle were absolutely brilliant. We have managed to persuade a lot of players to come to our club in League Two who shouldn't really be here and that's a credit to our chairman. "There are players here who have played at a higher level and who will play at a higher level. "I am really thrilled for the club that we are going to Wembley but it is important that we play the game and not the occasion. I don't want to go for a day out, I want to go and win. "It is against my club so it will be an emotional one for me. It's where I'm from and where I was brought up so it will be weird."
