Northampton secured back-to-back League One wins by beating Reading 3-1 at Sixfields on Tuesday.

Sam Hoskins, Louis Appere and Mitch Pinnock all scored to earn the Cobblers a first home victory since August and handed the Royals a fifth straight away league defeat.

The Cobblers made all of the early running and deservedly went ahead after 10 minutes when Appere slipped in Hoskins and his shot from a tight angle squirmed through David Button.

Appere headed over and Shaun McWilliams scuffed wide before Reading gained a foothold and they were only denied an equaliser by goalkeeper Lee Burge’s quick reactions as he saved from Caylan Vickers.

Northampton went straight up the other end and doubled their lead through Appere, who finished off Kieron Bowie’s terrific work eight minutes before half-time.

Burge was at full stretch to keep out Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan but Reading dominated possession in the second half and they were back in the game with 24 minutes to play when Dom Ballard found the net from Harvey Knibbs’ lay-off.

The visitors could not find a leveller despite heavy pressure in the remaining time, however, and Northampton’s win was wrapped up in stoppage time thanks to Pinnock’s first-time finish.