Appleton sent on midfielder Conor McGrandles midway through the second half and he bagged the opener seven minutes later to ensure the Imps kept pace with Hull at the top.
Anthony Scully, meanwhile, made sure of the points late on, before Danny Rose struck a stunning consolation for the Cobblers at the death.
“I felt we needed a little more running beyond the strikers and he (McGrandles) gives us that,” said Appleton afterwards.
“We’re good at switching play and it’s important to utilise the space created f r o m doing that. He’s got the legs and the athleticism, which gives us more impetus in those advanced areas.
This story is from the January 24, 2021 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the January 24, 2021 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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