Exeter City 0-2 Northampton Town

John-Joe O'Toole's goal was his first for Northampton since joining them last summer

First-half goals from Marc Richards and John-Joe O'Toole secured a first win in seven games for League Two strugglers Northampton at Exeter's expense.

City had early chances through Tom Nichols and Aaron Davies before Richards bundled in Brendan Moloney's cross for the opener.

Richards should have added a second when he fired wide, but O'Toole charged through and scored shortly after.

Alex Nicholls missed a late chance for Exeter, who have lost three in a row.

Northampton's win saw them move five points clear of the bottom two, while the Grecians are two points adrift of the play-offs.

Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:

"I'm delighted that we got a clean sheet. I thought we had man-of-the-match performances all over the pitch.

"I still think there is more to come from John-Joe O'Toole. He links the play up, but he knows he has to work hard.

"I look at the league table every half an hour - and maybe I shouldn't because it does my nut in. But we've now got a committed group of players who want to do well for the football club."