Corby continued their impressive pre-season form with a 2-1 victory over nPower League 2 side Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon.

A first half brace from striker Ricky Miller was enough to see the Steelmen emerge victorious.

Jake Robinson pulled one back from the penalty spot for the Cobblers mid-way through the second half, but Ian Sampson’s Corby stood firm and held on for the win.

Northampton started brightly, dominating possession in the opening stages against their lower league opposition. Defender Anthony Charles warmed Paul Walker’s gloves with a shot from the edge of the area, which was easily gathered by the Steelmen stopper.

That wasn’t to be the case for Cobblers ‘keeper Neal Kitson, who gifted Corby an 18^th minute lead. Kitson came to gather the ball following a Chris Hackett free-kick, but Miller nipped in to steal the ball away and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Miller should have doubled Corby’s lead just minutes later, but after superbly controlling a long ball from midfield, his volley whistled just past the right post.

The striker then went even closer, nodding Ryan Semple’s cross past Kitson only to find Chris Hackett on hand to clear the ball off the line.

But there was to be no stopping Miller’s next effort, as the striker doubled Corby’s advantage just before the break. He found himself in space on the edge of the area and swept the ball past Kitson with an elegant finish.

Both manager’s rang in the changes come the start of the second half, as two new-look teams took to the field. The second forty-five proved to be more of a scrappy affair, as the two teams locked horns in the afternoon sunshine at Steel Park.

Ishmel Demontagnac hit the bar for the Cobblers on 61 minutes, his powerful effort cannoning back off the upright.

Northampton were handed a reprieve in the 69^th minute, with the referee awarding them a penalty after John Johnson was judged to have been fouled. Jake Robinson made no mistake from twelve yards, cooling slotting the ball home to reduce Corby’s lead to one goal.

The Cobblers then piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Substitute Akinfewa went close on two occasions, whilst Hoganson forced a good save from Walker down to his left.

But an equaliser was to prove elusive for the Cobblers, as the Steelmen held on for their second victory in a row.

Attendance: 830

Steelmen:  Paul Walker, Nathan Horne, Andy Holt, Paul Malone, Brian Pierrick, Tom McGowan, Ryan Semple, Jason Crowe, Ricky Miller, Leon McKenzie, Greg Kaziboni. Subs: Lewis Webb, Sam Ives, Avelino Vierra, Jon Stead, Michael Built, Liam Riochardson, Rudi Misambo, Tom Ingram, James Harrison, Will Muzvimbiri, Luke Greer.

Cobblers: Neal Kitson, Chris Hackett, Kelvin Langmead, Anthony Charles, Joe Widdowson, Ishmel Demontagnac, Ben Tozer, Luke Guttridge, Michael Hoganson, Clive Platt, Alex Nicholls, Dean Snedker, John Johnson, Lewis Hormby, Michael Hoganson, Paul Turnbull, Jake Robinson, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Lewis Wilson