Wilder hails Northampton display

Northampton manager Chris Wilder praised the battling qualities of his side coming from behind to beat Luton 2-1 at Sixfields.

James Gray's first goal for the Cobblers reignited their play-off hopes but the Hatters slipped to a sixth straight defeat. Both sides went into the game trying to keep their lingering promotion hopes alive. Luton were trying to hold on to their play-off spot after five straight losses while Northampton's late push had stuttered following back-to-back defeats. Alex Lawless gave Luton the second half lead but Ricky Holmes equalised from the penalty spot and Gray popped up to bag the late winner. Wilder said: "All credit to the players, they really had to dig deep today to get the three points and keep the season alive. "After losing the last two games we were desperate for a win today. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if we'd lost but it would have been very difficult to get into the play-offs. "We were disappointed not to go in at half-time ahead but Luton are a dangerous side and they were determined to stop their losing run. "I felt we deserved to win the game. We told the players at half-time to go out and play like they can and get the win they deserved. "Luton are an attacking team but we pushed them back and moved the ball around well, we just lacked that final pass. Their keeper has made some very good saves to keep them in it but they were always going to be dangerous from set-pieces. "We should have made it much easier for ourselves but we didn't punish them in the first half and they've punished us in the second half. I was very disappointed with their goal, it was the first time they threatened us and I didn't want us to be mugged like that. "At home especially, you are always looking for your front four to make it happen for you in the final third. We've got the players to do that, James Gray has got the vital goal for us and we all hope he can kick on from there. "We've come a long way in the last 12 months. A year ago we were battling to stay in the Football League and now we've still got a chance to get into the play-offs." Luton boss John Still bemoaned the penalty decision which put Cobblers back on level terms. He said: "The penalty decision that went against us was disappointing. I can moan about that as much as I like but it's not going to change the result and we've lost again. "I thought we were comfortable. We had a few more men back in the team today and I didn't feel like we were under any real pressure. "People were doing their job and it was a case of containing them because we knew chances would come after that. We did everything that I would have liked us to have done. "But I can't control the uncontrollables and one of those is the referee. We've had so many decisions go against us this year where we haven't had penalties but nobody even appealed for the one they got. "Things like that are hurting us at the moment and I felt for the players because we've made mistakes in games recently but our performance here was first class and I've got no problems with it."