CRAIG Lindfield's 87th minute header gave Paul Cook his first win as Accrington Stanley boss this afternoon.

The Stanley substitute headed home Peter Murphy's right wing cross to secure a 2-1 victory over Northampton and Cook's first win at his seventh attempt.

Jamie Devitt's first half strike gave the hosts a 1-0 lead but substitute Brett Williams looked to have earned the Cobblers a deserved point after the break.

Northampton, who have climbed away from the foot of League Town under boss Aidy Boothroyd, started brightly.

Right winger Toni Silva was a constant threat while the physical presence of Adebayo Akinfenwa proved a handful for the Stanley defence.

Akinfenwa headed just wide on four minutes, from a Ben Tozer cross, before Silva saw a shot saved by Lee Nicholls after cutting in from the right.

The hosts were well in control in the opening exchanges but Stanley did come close to opening the scoring on 22 minutes.

Bobby Grant worked the ball to Jamie Devitt on the right and his cross fell to Charlie Barnett, who saw a shot from the edge of the area parried wide by Matt Duke, Northampton stopper Duke was in action again a minute later, saving well low down from Padraig Amond's downward header.

The game became something of a stalemate as the half drew to an end until the hosts broke the deadlock on 42 minutes.

Grant's inswinging free kick was headed half clear but Devitt was on hand to fire home the loose ball from the edge of the area.

Northampton started the second half as they started the first, in control, and were almost level just past the hour mark.

Former Newcastle defender Ben Tozer's rasping 25-yard drive drive beat Nicholls in the Stanley goal but cannoned off the cross bar to safety.

The visitors' deserved equaliser came on 69 when Blair Adam's left wing cross was met by substitute Brett Williams, who headed home with his first touch.

Aristote Nsiala had a header blocked as Stanley pushed for a winner while Amond saw a close range volley disallowed for offside.

Just when both sides looked to have settled for a point, Lindfield struck to send the home fans away jubilant.