Jefferson Lake’s Cobblers view and player ratings: Scorers give boss Boothroyd a headache

But while most people will have had one Baileys too many or overdosed on the port while polishing off the Roses tin, the Northampton manager will not be troubled by something that is alcohol-induced.

In the win over Aldershot, the two players that finished the game as the team’s centre-forwards scored the match’s two goals.

Jake Robinson broke the deadlock with a snappy finish in a one-on-one situation and Clive Platt unsettled the visiting defence to such good effect that he had just enough space to squeeze home a shot.

Boothroyd will have wanted a player to step up and perform in the absence through suspension of his leading goalscorer Adebayo Akinfenwa, and that wish was granted not once but twice.

It is reasonable to expect that Platt will stay in for the trip to Wimbledon on Boxing Day - his quality on the ball is not in doubt and his ability to retain possession is a vital commodity, especially away from home.

So who comes out? Or does anyone need to? Will the manager put Akinfenwa, a player who dominates opposition scouting reports and opposing defenders in equal measure, on the bench at Kingsmeadow?

Such concerns are the exclusive property of the manager, and it will be interesting to see how he plays this one.

The supporters’ faith is growing in the boss, especially when they are provided with results like the one on Saturday.

So while team selection will be as much a part of Boothroyd’s thoughts as turkey on Christmas Day, the fans can toast a welcome three points and a team that is gradually moving forward.

Jefferson’s ratings

LEE NICHOLLS

Got everything right - decision, timing, presence - on second-half save to deny Lopez and handled well in difficult conditions ...7

BEN TOZER

Very little in the way of overlaps and was given an armchair ride because of Hackett’s work rate ...6

KELVIN LANGMEAD

Another strong and disciplined performance from the captain who is becoming the picture of consistency ...7

CLARKE CARLISLE

Picked up from where he left off against Torquay and is now starting to find some good form ...7

ANTHONY CHARLES

Played with his typical calmness - which is often mistaken for laziness - and played a part in the clean sheet ...6

ISHMEL DEMOTAGNAC

The classic Demontagnac performance - looked bright at times but the defenders were on top ...6

LEWIS HORNBY

Dealt reasonably well with the rough stuff but really came into his own with his passing, which was top notch ...7

BEN HARDING

Gets through so much of the undected work and was a second-ball winner all afternoon ...7

EMYR HUWS

Arguably his best game since his debut and has made the left-wing role his own in recent weeks ...8

CHRIS HACKETT

Not many sliding challenges get standing ovations at Sixfields but Hackett’s did. More great stuff from a great signing ...8

CLIVE PLATT

Deserved his goal for an afternoon full of hard graft and on which he got very few favourable refereeing decisions ...7

Substitutes

JAKE ROBINSON (for Demontagnac, 46mins)

Took his goal excellently and very nearly had another. Introduction was arguably the game’s turning point ...7

Not used: Snedker, Mukendi, Robinson, Moult, East, Dias, Moyo

Man of the match: Hackett