Curle beaming with 'immense pride' after memorable play-off fightback

Cobblers boss hails effort of the whole club after reaching play-off final
Keith Curle's Northampton Town are heading to Wembley for the Sky Bet League Two play-off final next weekKeith Curle's Northampton Town are heading to Wembley for the Sky Bet League Two play-off final next week
Keith Curle's Northampton Town are heading to Wembley for the Sky Bet League Two play-off final next week

Northampton Town boss Keith Curle was bursting with 'immense pride' for the whole club after his side's remarkable play-off comeback against Cheltenham Town on Monday.

Town looked down and out after losing the first leg of the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final 2-0 at the PTS Academy Stadium last week.

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But a superb display and two goals from Callum Morton after Vadaine Oliver had headed them into an early lead game them a memorable 3-0 success at Whaddon Road to book their spot in next Monday's play-off final at Wembley where they will meet Exeter City.

While the game will be played without supporters, it is sure to be a memorable occasion and the culmination of a long - and sometimes unusual - campaign, one that threatened to be cut short prematurely by the coronavirus pandemic.

"It was a team performance and I'm so proud," said Curle.

"Not just of the performance, but of the club because a lot has gone on behind the scenes.

"Obviously I'm immensely proud of the players and my coaching staff but there's also the other staff at the football club - the medical staff, the CEO, the chairman, the secretary and they've all played their part in this.

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"Their work has given us a platform to go and perform and the focus is on the football on the pitch and that is definitely not underestimated by myself.

"Everything has been done correctly for the players to create the right environment and allow us to maintain our focus for these games.

"It hasn't been easy and there's been a lot of work leading up to this point, especially for the medical staff and the admin staff, but their focus has been on making sure there's no distractions for the footballing department so it's a big thanks to them.

"It's a proud night for everyone involved."