Cobblers dealt promotion blow

Published Apr. 17, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Blackburn caretaker-manager Gary Bowyer paid tribute to the Rovers supporters following the vital 1-0 win over Huddersfield at Ewood Park.

Jordan Rhodes netted the winner for the hosts in the 36th minute to the delight of the home fans in the 15,317 crowd.

"It was a fantastic effort from everybody," said Bowyer, whose side are now two points above the drop zone.

"The supporters were magnificent. I've not heard Ewood like that for a long time. We needed their support

"We've been attacked in the press all season for reasons that the fans and the players can't control so we've developed a siege mentality over the last couple of weeks and we asked the fans to be part of that.

"It's been a team effort but we aren't going to get carried away.

"We've just got to stay calm, we've got to stay positive because there's a lot more football to be played."

Bowyer also praised Rhodes, adding: "You saw why West Ham and other Premier League teams are linked with him and long may they continue to be linked in the press from now until the end of the season.

"We've got to make sure we keep him fit and keep him on the pitch. He's got a big part to play between now and the end of the season, as has everybody."

The Cobblers pressed desperately for a breakthrough throughout the match, with Adebayo Akinfenwa coming the closest to breaking the deadlock by hitting the bar.

Aidy Boothroyd's men have now gone four games without a goal and are four points behind Rotherham in the table with just two games left.

Northampton came close in the 10th minute when Roy O'Donovan headed into the side netting after Wycombe goalkeeper Matt Ingram had tipped Chris Hackett's cross into his path.

The rest of the first half passed without incident but Ingram was called into action early in the second when he held on to another O'Donovan header.

Just a minute later, Akinfenwa came within inches of giving the Cobblers the lead when his looping header from Hackett's cross bounced off the top of the bar.

Akinfenwa also had a header saved by Ingram but Northampton were unable to get the breakthrough they longed for.