Callum Morton’s brace sends Northampton Town to Wembley

A Callum Morton double helped Northampton Town overturn Cheltenham’s first leg lead, and reach the Play-Off final.

The Cobblers took the lead with their first chance in the ninth minute. Nicky Adams whipped the ball into the box which and found Vadaine Oliver who knocked it past Cheltenham goalkeeper Owen Evans.

Northampton dominated the first 20 minutes of the first-half and could have found a second goal, but efforts from Alan McCormack and Callum Morton were off target.

The Cobblers continued to put the pressure on, and should have made it two when Charlie Goode’s cross found Adams, who put it just over.

Cheltenham had their first real chance when Alfie May was through in on goal, but Goode was there to put in a good challenge in to deny the Robins’ striker a clear shot.

Oliver had another chance to potentially level it up on aggregate for Northampton, but the weak shot from the forward was easily claimed by Evans.

Moments later, Oliver was close to scoring again. Goode fired the ball into the middle into the path of Oliver, but his header crept over the bar

Cheltenham could have gone in at the break on level terms. Jordan Turnball cleared the ball only as far as Ryan Broom, whose shot went just wide.

The Robins carried that late momentum in to the second half. Firstly Jake Doyle-Hayes’ curled effort was easily caught by Steve Arnold. Then, William Boyle headed towards to Northampton goal but it was claimed by a leaping Arnold.

But Keith Curle’s side would find their rhythm and drew level on aggregate just before the hour mark. A scramble in the penalty area saw the ball deflect off Callum Morton’s forehead, past the scrambling Evans into the back of the net.

Then with 13 minutes to play after a massive mistake from Boyle, put Michael Harriman in with a chance. He hit the post, but Morton was there on the follow up on to tap the ball home, and complete the turnaround.

Cheltenham did have some late chances, the best of the bunch was Rohan Ince’s effort, which was cleared by Goode for what would have been a certain goal.

Cobblers will face Exeter City, who pulled off a comeback earlier in the day, in the Play-Off Final at Wembley on Monday night.

Team Lineups

Cheltenham Town XI- Evans, Raglan (Nichols 81′), Tozer, Boyle, Long, Doyle-Hayes (Ince 62′), Broom (Addai 62′), Thomas, Hussey, Smith (Reid 46′), May

Norhtampton Town XI- Arnold, Goode, Turnbull, Wharton, Harriman, McCormack (Olayinka 71′), Watson, Hoskins, Adams (Martin 86′), Morton, Oliver (Smith 84′)