Northampton manager Ian Sampson praised his players' spirit after Town came from behind to beat Gillingham 2-1 and end a run of five consecutive defeats.
The Gills took an early lead through Chris Palmer but Dean Beckwith equalised against his former club. Beckwith was then fouled by Matt Lawrence in the box and Leon McKenzie slammed home the decisive goal from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time.
"I'm delighted to get the three points and hopefully that gives us a platform to move up the table," said Sampson, whose side are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
"We're still in a relegation battle but if we carry on playing with a spirit like that we should be okay. The players have stuck together when results have been bad and the performances have been good.
"Here it was probably the other way around, we went more direct to make it scrappy and get a result. I don't like playing that way but perhaps there's a lesson in it."
Source: PA
Source: PA