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Northampton Town 3-2 Colchester United: Marc Richards nets late winner

Image: Marc Richards: Scored Northampton's winner

Substitute Marc Richards bagged the late winner as Northampton Town beat Colchester United 3-2 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section first round.

The Cobblers took a ninth-minute lead when Sam Hoskins crossed for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to chest the ball past Colchester goalkeeper Elliot Parish.

The on-loan Sheffield United striker tested Parish shortly afterwards before the keeper comfortably saved an Alfie Potter free-kick and a header from Rod McDonald.

But Colchester equalised in the 32nd minute when Callum Harriott crossed for Macauley Bonne to head beyond Ryan Clarke.

Potter missed a good opportunity to put Northampton back in front but Ryan Watson did just that four minutes after the restart. The on-loan Leicester City midfielder picked the ball up and advanced before hitting a low drive from outside the box past Parish.

Sammie Szmodics should have done better when he headed wide, George Moncur was also off target and Bonne blazed over from a good position as Colchester tried to get back on level terms again. At the other end, Lawson D'Ath saw his free-kick saved by Parish before Bonne levelled in the 82nd minute when he burst into the box to beat Clarke after more good work from Harriott.

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But Cobblers won it three minutes later when Hoskins' goal-bound effort was turned in by club captain Richards from close range.

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