Northampton Town 2-0 AFC Wimbledon

Alex Nicholls last scored for Northampton in October 2012

Alex Nicholls scored his first Northampton goal in two years as the Cobblers ended a four-match losing streak by beating AFC Wimbledon.

The forward badly fractured his leg while scoring against Port Vale in October 2012 but wrapped up the win after Lawson D'Ath's shot was saved.

Kaid Mohamed had put the home side ahead in the first half at Sixfields when he lashed in D'Ath's cross.

Wimbledon's best chance came when Matt Tubbs fired over from close range.

Nicholls had a six-game loan spell at Exeter earlier this season, scoring once.

Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder tells BBC Radio Northampton:

"I thought the two centre-halves were outstanding and the goalkeeper was good, he deserved the clean sheet.

"It's great for Alex Nicholls and his confidence but we've also kept Akinfenwa and Tubbs very quiet.

"I was like a caged tiger up there (Wilder was banned from the touchlines) but I took my punishment. I've made 37 phone calls this afternoon - I don't like being away from the action.

"Darren Carter and Lee Collins have sat on the bench today, and Marc Richards we're hopefully getting back next week."

AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley told BBC London 94.9:

"It's important for me to apologise to the travelling fans because that wasn't acceptable.

"We were second to everything, out-fought, out-run, we had no quality and we didn't face adversity very well.

"The disappointing thing today was we lost because the opposition's mentality was better than ours.

"We weren't good enough all over the pitch."