Team news

Carlisle set for Cobblers debut Clarke Carlisle will finally make his debut for Northampton when AFC Wimbledon visit Sixfields in npower League Two.

Town boss Aidy Boothroyd managed to pull off something of a coup on transfer deadline day by bringing the experienced centre-half to the club on loan from Burnley for the remainder of the season.

Carlisle, who played under Boothroyd at Watford, should go straight into the starting line-up, having been expected to do so last week against Macclesfield and then Dagenham before those matches were postponed.

Striker Brett Williams will also be hoping to make his debut after joining Town on loan from Reading.

Ben Harding will start his first game as a fully-fledged Cobbler after his loan from Wycombe was turned into a permanent deal. Fellow midfielder Luke Guttridge made his first appearance since rejoining the club on loan against Torquay the last time Boothroyd's boys played on January 28 and he is likely to keep his place in the team.

Strikers Akwasi Asante and Saido Berahino have returned to Birmingham and West Brom respectively following the end of their loan spells at Sixfields.

Jason Euell and Ricky Wellard return to the AFC Wimbledon squad.

Euell, who rejoined the Dons on loan from Charlton last month, suffered calf and ankle problems on his debut against Port Vale and has missed the last three matches.

But the veteran striker has now resumed full training and will be involved along with midfielder Wellard, who has shaken off an ankle injury.

Saturday's postponement of the match with Bradford has also given new forward Jason Prior more time to shake off the knock he suffered against Aldershot last time out.

Northampton vs AFC Wimbledon

Last modified 22:07 14/02/12

Guttridge earns Cobblers late win Luke Guttridge grabbed the crucial late winner as Northampton picked up only their second home win of the season with a 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Guttridge's strike was enough for the Cobblers to secure their first three-point haul in 14 outings. But the winning goal was crafted by substitute Toni Silva, signed on loan from Liverpool just hours before kick-off.

Northampton had the better of the opening exchanges. Guttridge brought a smart save out of Seb Brown with his low drive, and from the ensuing corner Adebayo Akinfenwa headed over. Michael Jacobs then burst into the box but was denied by another decent save from Brown.

Wimbledon had their best chance when Byron Harrison raced clear but, with just Chris Weale to beat, he allowed the Cobblers keeper to keep out his tame effort. Gavin Hoyte flashed a 25-yard shot wide but he then kept his side on level terms by clearing Clarke Carlisle's header off the line.

Dons top scorer Jack Midson got into the game after the restart, firing just wide and then laying on two chances for Jason Euell. The experienced striker saw his first attempt blocked before he blazed the second over the bar from six yards.

Akinfenwa could only fire wide at the near post from Brett Williams' low cross but, 10 minutes from time, Silva cut into the box, went past three players and saw his shot saved before Guttridge gleefully headed home the rebound. Jamie Stuart almost earned Wimbledon a point but his header scraped the upright.