Plymouth boss Sheridan delighted by comfortable victory over Cobblers

Town succumbed to only their second defeat of 2015 when the Pilgrims scored in each half as they returned to the play-offs and Northampton remained in 10th place in Sky Bet League Two.

While only a goal behind, Chris Wilder’s side had lots of possession but struggled to fashion any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities, to the delight of Sheridan.

“It’s important to see the game out against a team in form like Northampton are,” he said. “They didn’t have many chances, they were controlling the game without really hurting us and we needed to be a bit braver on the ball.

“But I’m probably nit-picking because we got the three points and our tempo in the first half was very pleasing.

“The second goal proves that. There were probably just three passes, controlling it and passing it and it was a good goal.

“We need a few more solid performances like that. It’s all about getting the three points.”

Sheridan also played down the first-half incident in which Matt Duke caught the ball outside his area, for which there were loud protests from the home supporters for a sending-off.

“I asked the fourth official because I don’t know what the rules are,” he said. “He said it’s not a card because he hasn’t stopped a goalscoring opportunity.

“Most of the time you’re making a genuine attempt to stop the opposition scoring and the rules, in my eyes, are pathetic sometimes.”