Football:Cobblers to meet Swansea

THIRD DIVISION PLAY-OFFS

THIRD DIVISION PLAY-OFFS

Northampton Town will celebrate their centenary year with a Wembley appearance, after seeing off Cardiff City 3-2 in a tense match at Sixfields last night.

The Welshmen, reduced to 10 men when Jeff Eckhardt was sent off, made Northampton, 1-0 up from the first leg, battle hard, but the Cobblers made the extra man count in the second half and will meet Swansea City on 24 May.

Defender Ian Sampson doubled Northampton's advantage with a header after 23 minutes, but Cardiff equalised on the night through Jason Fowler in the 36th minute, 10 minutes after Eckhardt was ordered off for use of the elbow. However, Northampton took command to move 3-1 ahead through Ray Warburton and John Gayle, before Simon Haworth scored a late consolation for Cardiff.

Chester spiked their cause at Swansea by having Chris Priest sent off, and Swansea breezed through 3-0 despite losing Steve Jones with a broken leg.