Quality from set-pieces was the major positive manager John Sheridan took out of the 2-1 win over Northampton at Boundary Park.

Reuben Hazell headed home Kevin Maher's free kick early on, and another Maher set play after the break led to Dean Windass's 200th league goal.

The hosts' margin of victory would have been wider but for the intervention of the woodwork and three goal-line clearances.

"We fully deserved to win the game and we looked very comfortable for long spells," said Sheridan, who saw his fifth-placed side move on to 53 points.

"We could have scored more goals against a Northampton team who are very difficult to play against and provide a big threat from set pieces.

"The early goal helped as it forced them to come out against us and I think we are a better team when the opposition have to do that.

"But the most pleasing thing was that the goals both came from set pieces - we have to score more goals from them and our delivery and movement were excellent."

Hazell's movement brought him a second goal of the campaign with a stooping header after only 8 minutes.

And Windass added a second with a bullet header after the break to leave his manager smiling.

"The goals were two good headers and we could have had more after hitting the post and having three cleared off the line.

"But the three points are the most important thing and the fact that results elsewhere went for us makes today even more pleasing.

"I thought the fans were very good today as well - they got right behind the lads today and you could hear that in the stands."