Sam Hoskins: Northampton striker's finish against Derby 'world-class', says boss Brady
Last updated on .From the section Northampton
Northampton Town boss Jon Brady hailed a piece of "world-class finishing" from Sam Hoskins as they beat promotion-chasing Derby County at Sixfields.
Hoskins volleyed home Louis Appere's cross as the Cobblers climbed three places to 11th in the League One table.
The 1-0 win followed a reshuffle of the team after Max Dyche and Jon Guthrie dropped out due to illness and injury.
"Great cross, brilliant finish by Sam, so controlled," manager Brady told BBC Radio Northampton.
"That's world-class finishing, absolutely, and then we hit the post and should have had a stonewall penalty.
"Sam, time and time again, amazes you with his finishing and to have the calmness to do that is special."
Hoskins has scored 15 goals this season after contributing 22 last season as the Cobblers won promotion from League Two.
But prior to taking on the second-placed Rams, they had not won a game since 24 February and had only picked up two points from the previous five.
They had not previously beaten Derby in 13 previous meetings stretching back to 1909.
"Considering what a lot of people have said, we've got no fight left in us and the players are on holiday, the commitment they showed, it's a really, really good performance," said Brady.
"I thought the players, to a man, and the subs that came on at the end were absolutely brilliant. It took a lot of discipline, a lot of work-rate and you can't get a result like that if you're not connected together."
Due to Dyche and Guthrie's absence, Jack Sowerby was pressed into service by Brady as a centre-back, while Manny Monthe filled a left wing-back role and hit the woodwork during the second-half.
"I think a lot of people thought I was nuts when they saw the team but I know how well Jack Sowerby can read the game," Brady said.
"And Manny, I freed him up and asked him - because he's got the physicality, pace and power to drive (forward) when he got the opportunity one v one, (to put in) early crosses or go in and shoot because he's got one of the most powerful shots I have ever seen - and it sort of worked."
Northampton are away to Reading on Friday followed by a home game against Port Vale on Easter Monday.
