Midfielder Alan McCormack has admitted to giving his manager some grief over not allowing him to complete 90 minutes on a regular basis this season.

The 35-year-old, who missed the first two months of the season through injury, has finished a game just once since signing for Northampton in the summer, that coming against Grimsby Town in their last league outing.

Keith Curle has repeatedly withdrawn his key midfielder before the 90-minute mark over recent weeks, and his decision to do so at Oldham Athletic last month caused a backlash from supporters as the Latics fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

McCormack, who's had his fair share of injury problems in the past, was visibly frustrated to come off at Boundary Park but Curle stood by his decision and continues to insist he's putting the interests of the player first.

After being substituted against Notts County in the FA Cup on Sunday, McCormack said: "I could have done the 90. I've given the manager a little bit of stick each time he's taken me off before but I've just been dying to play 90 minutes for a while.

"I've come off after 70 minutes, then 75 minutes, then 80 and I'm thinking 'just give me 90!'

"But he told me no, he was adamant that I was coming off until he felt I was ready to stay on.

"We've got a plan for me to keep me fit on the pitch at 3pm on a Saturday and we won't deviate from that."

Curle was again full of praise for McCormack after the former Luton and Brentford midfielder racked up his 500th career appearance on Sunday.

"He's far from finished," said the Town boss. "He's got a winning mentality and he's got a winning mindset.

"He'll be disappointed with the booking because he overstepped the mark and it was for dissent so he'll be making a donation as it was a cheap booking!

"But we know with Alan that there are certain characteristics which you can't take out of his game and we don't want to take out of his game."

A Northampton drink-driver was fined after swerving and crashing into 'street furniture' in his car while almost three times over the legal limit for alcohol.

Dorin Gutuleac was seen by police driving erratically in Red House Road, Moulton Park, in the early hours of November 17, Northampton Magistrates Court heard yesterday (Thursday, December 5).

The 31-year-old, of St Andrews Road, Semilong, gave an initial breathalyser reading of 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and was arrested.

The Romanian national then gave a second reading of 89 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at the police station.

"I recognise that I should not have got in my car and consumed alcohol and I do regret that I did that," he told the court through a translator.

Gutuleac pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £340 and told to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £34.

The magistrate told him: "The law on driving with excess alcohol in this country is very strict, we have no discretion and must disqualify you from driving.

"In your case the amount of alcohol in your breath was very high, nearly three times over the legal limit, this means you represented a serious danger to other road users."

Exeter City boss Matt Taylor has become the latest opposing manager to stress the importance of matching the Cobblers for 'physicality' when they host Keith Curle's side at St James Park on Saturday.

Taylor, who replaced Paul Tisdale in 2018, saw his side fall just short of the play-offs last season but they've made an excellent start to the current campaign and sit fourth in Sky Bet League Two.

While the Cobblers have won five of their last six league games, Exeter are currently unbeaten in seven across all competitions and beat Oxford United on penalties in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday.

Discussing the importance of the physical battle on Saturday, Taylor said: “It’s key to any game of football. We know what Northampton are about but as much as people talk about their physicality they’ve got some good players too at our level as well.

"There’s a lot of dangers in their team, but we’re at home and we’ve got to back ourselves. They’re a team in and around us in terms of the league at the moment and a team that we expect to be pushing at the right end of the table.

“So there’s a lot to play for this weekend and certainly a game that we’ve been looking forward to this week on the back of last weekend.”

The Grecians have lost only once at home this season and Taylor is backing his side to continue that record on Saturday.

He said: “They’re the in-form team in the division at the moment, blowing teams away. But our home form has been strong throughout the season and we’ve got to keep backing ourselves in these home games, producing a performance which gives us a chance of winning the game.

“We’ve got to match their physicality and then play when we can play, I’m sure they’ll do the same, but it will be about who gets to the ball first and who uses the ball wisely and who gains a little bit of control in the game.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is set to meet Harry Dunn's parents again to 'find common ground and a way forward' as they keep up the campaign to get justice for their son.

The Northamptonshire family want to question the senior politican on what has been done by the British government to help the family since the crash outside Croughton in August.

Family spokesman Radd Seiger's letter also asked for clarity on whether Anne Sacoolas - the driver who has admitted causing the accident - had diplomatic immunity or not.

"Although it is the parents’ position that it is you, their foreign secretary, who should be approaching them with updates in this matter, and notwithstanding everything that has gone before, the family are willing to reach out to you again with a view to arranging a further meeting with you urgently," it read.

"If you are willing to meet with them and me, we will attend any such meeting in good faith."

The relationship between the family and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has soured ever since their first meeting when they believed they were going to be receiving good news from Mr Raab.

But they described his manner as 'stiff' and were told Mrs Sacoolas has diplomatic immunity and efforts were being made to get it waived.

Mr Raab's statement in the House of Commons a few weeks later saying the suspect, having left the UK, no longer had the benefit of diplomatic immunity confused matters further.

"The parents would like a detailed explanation from you as to how that very damaging meeting was allowed to transpire despite us having been lured to the meeting on a false pretence and that there would be good news," Mr Seiger's letter reads.

"As you may have heard after the meeting outside your door, the parents were extremely upset with you."

Despite public comments from Mr Raab saying the Government is on the family's side, they have started legal proceedings against the FCO to try to start a judicial review into its conduct.

Mr Raab wrote to the family to say the FCO will be seeking costs from them if it fails, adding to the ill-feeling.

It all came to a head when Harry father Tim Dunn tried to speak to Mr Raab at a hustings in his Surrey constituency but was not allowed in, before being told his behaviour was 'not on' by the politician.

An FCO spokesman said: “We have deep sympathy for Harry’s family. We have done and will continue to do everything we properly can to ensure that justice is done.

“The foreign secretary gladly accepted the Dunn family’s request for a meeting, he has always said he would be happy to meet the family again.”

The family has also written to the White House to try to arrange another meeting with Donald Trump following their snub while he was in the UK for the Nato summit.

The Duston School has formally complained to police for sending one Police Community Support Officer to the school after making reports of a gang of masked youths outside.

The incident took place at the end of the school day on Monday when teachers called 999 after spotting the masked group of youths.

Headteacher Sam Strickland said: "On Monday senior staff called 999 and the police response was not as extensive as we had hoped for, with just a PCSO being dispatched.

"I have formally complained to the police about this, requesting an increased presence in and around the school."

Five police officers were dispatched to the school on Tuesday, just missing the gang who returned in the early part of Tuesday evening.

For the foreseeable future, the school is making sure its senior leadership team will be at the school gates at hometime.

Responding to the criticism by the school, a Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “On Monday afternoon the force received a call regarding a gathering of masked youths in Berrywood Road, Duston.

“Based on the information given in that call, which did not include any mention of weapons, and balanced against the other demands on police resources at that time, a Police Community Support Officer was deployed to the scene.

“No offences have been identified in relation to the incident, and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has had a presence outside Duston School at the end of each school day since to provide reassurance and deter any further issues.

“We appreciate that the incident caused concern within the local community, and would reassure parents and residents that the NPT is continuing to work with the youths involved, as well as the school and partners.

“Anyone with either information or related concerns is encouraged to contact the NPT by calling 101 or emailing NeighbourhoodTeamNorthampton@northants.pnn.police.uk.”

Cobblers defender Scott Wharton has won the PFA Bristol Street Motors Player of the Month Award for November.

The 22-year-old centre-back, currently on loan at the Cobblers from Blackburn, won with 24 per cent of the vote to narrowly pip Colchester’s Tom Eastman, who finished in second place with 22 per cent.

Wharton played every minute of every game for the Cobblers in November and was not only in excellent form at the back but also chipped in with important goals.

He scored twice in the 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra, including a brilliant volley, and then netted again against Grimsby Town the following week.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

OCTOBER 23

Daniel Nicholas Mahoney, aged 29, of Towcester Road, Far Cotton, damaged a door; surcharge £21, costs £85.

Dimitrii Butenco, aged 29, of Leicester Terrace, Northampton, drink driving; fined £369, surcharge £36, costs £85, banned from driving for 18 months; driving without insurance, fined £369.

Paul Colin Tipping, aged 45, of South Meadow Road, Northampton, harassment; 250 hours community service, restraining order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

October 24

Jerome Dannie Dallie Mcdonald, aged 30, of Pennycress Place, Northampton, spitting at a police officer; compensation of £50, surcharge £90, costs £350.

Marcin Anysz, aged 37, of Turner Street, Northampton, over the drink-drive limit in charge of a vehicle; fined £200, surcharge £32, costs £85, licence endorsed with 10 points.

Matthew Lawrence Brown, aged 29, of Crow Lane, Northampton, drink driving; fined £400, surcharge £40, costs £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Jaqueline Feely, aged 45, of Scott Close, Ravensthorpe, assaulting a police officer; fined £300, compensation £100, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Anthony David Seaman, aged 30, of Laceby Walk, Northampton, drink driving; fined £350, surcharge £35, costs £85, banned from driving for 3 years.

Lee Andrew Webb, aged 34, of Ruskin Road, Northampton, drink driving; fined £350, surcharge £35, costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months; driving without insurance, fined £350; driving without a licence, no separate penalty.

Gary McCarthy, aged 22, of Ashtree Way, Northampton, possession of cannabis; fined £40, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Natalie Aluoch, aged 24, of no fixed address, drunk and disorderly; conditional discharge for six months, surcharge £21.

Mark Sean Hockings, aged 37, of Flaxwell Court, Northampton, driving while disqualified; fined £200, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 6 months; no insurance, fined £200.

Christopher Robert Trusler, aged 30, of Collyweston Road, Northampton, drunk and disorderly; fined £100, surcharge £32, costs £85; damaged a police vehicle, fined £100.

Joshua Whiting, aged 25, c/o Thirlmere Avenue, Northampton, driving without due care and attention; fined £180, compensation £200, surcharge £30, costs £625, banned from driving for 7 months.

Jade Goodright-Croll, aged 18, of Palmerston Road, Northampton, assaulting a doctor; compensation £50, surcharge £20, costs £180.

October 25

Ben David Fitzpatrick, aged 23, of no fixed address, theft of cash; fined £184, compensation £300, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Paul Meredith, aged 42, of Croftmeadow Court, Northampton, drink driving; fined £120, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Julia Nash, aged 37, of North Holme Court, Northampton, theft of alcohol; jailed for 6 weeks, compensation

of £128; failed to appear at court, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; breached supervision order, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft of alcohol, jailed for 6 weeks consecutive, compensation of £66; failed to appear at court, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive.

Shaquille Stephens, aged 21, of Bostock Avenue, Northampton, theft; 100 hours community service, compensation £1,500, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Amelia Grace Payne, aged 23, of Timken Way, Daventry, harrassment; 100 hours community service, surcharge £85, costs £620; assault, 100 hours community service, compensation £50.

October 25

Naimur Omi Rahman, aged 21, of Sandiland Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle; fined £180, surcharge £30, costs £290, banned from driving for 6 months.

October 28

Paul Burke, aged 41, of no fixed address, theft; jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; attempted theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive; theft, jailed for 2 weeks consecutive, surcharge £120.

Tom Hinsby, aged 74, of Manor Road, Hanging Houghton, in charge of a vehicle; fined £346, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 6 months.
Jamie Liles, aged 25, of no fixed address, threatening words or behaviour; 80 hours community service, surcharge £90, costs £85.

Jayden Richard Stanford, aged 20, of Link Way, Bugbrooke, threatening words or behaviour; 100 hours community service, surcharge £90, costs £85.

Lisa Humphries, aged 48, of Golding Close, Daventry, criminal damage; surcharge £15.

Gheorghe Stanciu, aged 33, of Court Home, Northampton, drink driving; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85, banned from driving for 17 months; driving without insurance, fined £500.

Rafal Szulda, aged 49, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, drink driving; 150 hours community service, surcharge £85, costs £400, banned from driving for two years; failed to appear at court, fined £320.

Campbell James Deegan, aged 24, of Prentice Court, Northampton, harassment; fined £120, surcharge £32, costs £85; failed to appear at court, fined £120.

Trofim Midoni, aged 20, of Queens Road, Northampton, using false numberplates; fined £500, surcharge £170, costs £85; using false numberplates, fined £500; drove without a licence, no separate penalty; drove without insurance, fined £500; drove without insurance, fined £500.

Zoe Blackshaw, aged 34, of Chaplins Drive, Roade, drink driving; fined £120, surcharge £32, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Charles Dickie, aged 30, of no fixed address, possession of cocaine; fined £120, surcharge £32, costs £85.

Sharon Miles, aged 40, of Danefield Road, Northampton, driving while disqualified; surcharge £90, costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months; driving without insurance, no separate penalty.

Mohammed Ahmed Sheikh Mumin, aged 44, of Woodside Way, Northampton, threatening words or behaviour; fined £40, surcharge £32, costs £85; possession of cocaine, fined £120.

Piotr Slawomir Gargol, aged 45, of Penrhyn Road, Northampton, drink driving; 150 hours community service, surcharge £90, costs £85, banned from driving for 48 months.

Mariusz Przypkowski, aged 35, of Hamsterly Park, Northampton, drink driving; 120 hours community service, surcharge £90, costs £85, banned from driving for 26 months.  


Date/time: Saturday, December 7, 3pm kick-off

Venue: St James Park

Forecast: 10C, cloudy

Outs and doubts: Exeter: Nicky Ajose, Lewis Ward, Jayden Richardson, Craig Woodman, Lee Holmes

Betting: Exeter 21/20, draw 12/5, Northampton 11/4

Form guide: Grecians DDWWDW, Cobblers LWWWWD

Current league positions: 4th v 6th

Possible line-ups: Exeter (3-5-2): Maxted; Sweeney, A Martin, Moxey; Williams, Atangana, Law, Collins, Sparkes; L Martin, Bowman. Northampton (3-5-2): Cornell; Goode, Turnbull, Wharton; McCormack, Lines, Anderson, Adams, Hoskins; Williams, Oliver.

Man in the middle: Neil Hair

Last time out: Exeter 0 Oxford 0 (Exeter won on penalties): Portsmouth 2 Northampton 1 (Harriman)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, March 9, 2019 - Northampton 2 (Pierre, Williams) Exeter 1 (Martin)

Record v Exeter: P115 W52 D34 L29

Opposition view: "We know what Northampton are about but as much as people talk about their physicality they’ve got some good players too at our level as well," said Matt Taylor. "There’s a lot of dangers in their team, but we’re at home and we’ve got to back ourselves."

James Heneghan's preview: After mixed success in two cup competitions, the Cobblers make their return to league action with a tantalising encounter against fellow high-flyers Exeter City.

Town's EFL Trophy defeat to Portsmouth in midweek may have ended their impressive unbeaten run but it would have done little to dent confidence and stall momentum. If anything, it was another productive evening for Keith Curle and his players.

Although Curle rang the changes on the south coast, his side still put in a positive display at Fratton Park - at least until they faded in the last half-hour - and the return of certain individuals, namely Ryan Watson and Shaun McWilliams, has made selecting his starting XI even harder.

For the first time this season he goes into a game without a single injury concern - barring any mishaps in training on Friday - and now has serious depth to pick from, with perhaps the most heated competition coming in central midfield.

Watson and McWilliams would be a first-choice midfield for the majority of teams in League Two but, despite their excellent form prior to injury, both face a fight to dislodge current trio Alan McCormack, Chris Lines and Paul Anderson, all of whom have been instrumental in Town's rise up the table.

It's unlikely Curle will deviate too much from the side that have won five of six league games when they head to equally in-form Exeter on Saturday.

The stats, however, are slightly misleading. While Exeter are unbeaten in seven, four of those games have been in cup competitions. Of their last six league games, they've won only two and lost three, a run that has dropped them from top spot to fourth place in the last month.

Matt Taylor's team do boast a strong record at home though, losing just once at St James Park this season, and they can rejoin leaders Swindon Town at the top by beating the Cobblers tomorrow.

Two teams in-form and two teams eyeing promotion, it's all set up for a fascinating battle at St James Park.

Prediction: Exeter City 2 Northampton Town 2

Biggar, who is currently the top points scorer in this season's Champions Cup, was forced to withdraw from the team that beat Leicester Tigers 36-13 last weekend due to a foot injury.

But he is back at 10 for the game against the unbeaten Irish giants, replacing James Grayson, who is named among the replacements.

Ahsee Tuala will make only his second start of the season as he comes in for George Furbank, who took two blows to the head against Tigers.

The only other change comes in the pack, where Jamie Gibson starts at seven, replacing Lewis Ludlam, who is on the bench.

Piers Francis is also among the replacements after recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained during the first half of the win against Lyon last month.

But Courtney Lawes (hamstring), Owen Franks (thumb), David Ribbans (back), Alex Mitchell (knee), Henry Taylor (thumb), Harry Mallinder (knee), Ben Franks (elbow), Reece Marshall (hamstring) and James Fish (head) are all still sidelined.

Leinster don't have such an injury list to contend with and they are able to bring back their international stars after resting them for the win at Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

Jonny Sexton skippers a star-studded side from fly-half.

Saints: Tuala; Collins, Proctor, Hutchinson, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (cc), Haywood, Painter; Moon, Ratuniyarawa; Wood, Gibson, Harrison (cc).
Replacements: van Vuuren, van Wyk, Hill, Coles, Ludlam, Tupai, Grayson, Francis.

Leinster: Larmour; D Kearney, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Porter; Toney, Ryan; Ruddock, van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Tracy, E Byrne, Furlong, Fardy, Deegan, McGrath, R Byrne, R Kearney.

Competition: Champions Cup (Pool 1, game three)

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Date and kick-off time: Saturday, December 7, 2019, 1pm

Television coverage: BT Sport 2 and Channel 4

Weather forecast: 8c, mostly cloudy

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)

Saints: Tuala; Collins, Proctor, Hutchinson, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (cc), Haywood, Painter; Moon, Ratuniyarawa; Wood, Gibson, Harrison (cc).
Replacements: van Vuuren, van Wyk, Hill, Coles, Ludlam, Tupai, Grayson, Francis.

Leinster: Larmour; D Kearney, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Porter; Toney, Ryan; Ruddock, van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Tracy, E Byrne, Furlong, Fardy, Deegan, McGrath, R Byrne, R Kearney.

Outs: Saints: Courtney Lawes (hamstring), Owen Franks (thumb), David Ribbans (back), Alex Mitchell (knee), Henry Taylor (thumb), Harry Mallinder (knee), Ben Franks (elbow), Reece Marshall (hamstring), James Fish (head)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, December 17, 2016: Leinster 60 Saints 13 (Champions Cup)

Tom's preview: "We talked in the shed the other day about not saying this game is critical because so is next week and so is the week after.

"You sit there and you go Leicester local derby, Leinster at home, Leinster away, Sale, Gloucester and Wasps - every one of those games is crucial."

Those are the views ahead of Saints boss Chris Boyd, who knows just how much every match means to Saints right now.

But you do have to feel that this Saturday's game against Leinster has more significance than most, perhaps all, of the others matches he mentioned.

In fact, it is probably the biggest game at Franklin's Gardens since Saints lost to Saracens in the Premiership play-off semi-final in 2015.

Why? Because if Boyd's side can get a win this weekend they would be in an incredible position in Champions Cup Pool 1.

They could almost go to Dublin the following week and treat their second battle with Leinster as something of a free hit.

All of the pressure would be piled on the Irish giants, allowing Saints a feeling of freedom at the Aviva Stadium.

And we all know how well they can play when their tails are up.

Lose this weekend and things will only get tougher the following week.

So this Saturday, it really is all to play for as Saints look to end Leinster's sensational start to the season.

Leo Cullen's side have yet to lose, winning all seven games in Guinness PRO14 and both matches in the Champions Cup.

They battled past Benetton at the RDS Arena before gritting their teeth to brush past Lyon in France.

And with most of their frontline players being given last weekend off, Leinster will not only be firing, they will also be fresh at Franklin's Gardens.

However, this Saints side is one which savours a challenge.

As Boyd pointed out, it is against lowly Premiership sides that his team have come unstuck in recent times, losing to bottom of the table outfits such as Sale, Newcastle and Bath.

They love taking on the big guns, with this hungry group of players, many of whom are still in the formative stages of their careers, excited about testing themselves against the best.

Leinster are certainly that.

They lost to Saracens in last year's final but are favourites to claim Champions Cup glory this time round.

They are packed full of international players and have a game plan that no team has been able to penetrate so far this season.

They even won all of their pre-season games, including a 34-26 victory at Saints in September.

So the size of the challenge is clear.

This will be several levels up from what a lethargic Leicester Tigers team served up last Saturday.

And Saints will need their supporters and players to lift their levels even higher if they are to lower the Leinster flags this weekend.

Tom's prediction: This is by Saints' toughest test of the season so far, but with the belief they have built up in recent matches and the determination they possess, they have a sniff of getting the win they really want here. Saints 30 Leinster 28.

It has now been more than five weeks since Northamptonshire Police handed prosecutors the complete file on their investigation into the crash outside Croughton in August.

The Northamptonshire family has been fighting for the driver, Anne Sacoolas, to return to the UK after claiming diplomatic immunity, with the hope they may be extradicted if charged with a crime.

They travelled to the CPS' East Midlands base in Nottingham to meet the lead prosecutor to find out what is behind the delay, considering the suspect has admitted causing the accident and there is CCTV footage of it.

Harry’s step-father and 'second dad', Bruce Charles, said the wait is 'eating away inside us' and leaving the family 'convinced' the governments are interfering.

"We have a right to know and are being fobbed off yet again," he said in a statement.

"We are disgusted at the prosecutor’s latest refusal to meet us and her persistent statements that she cannot tells us when the charge will be authorised.

"We are sick and tired of her telling us how sorry she is for our loss, offering condolences and understanding our frustration. They are just empty words. Something must be up."

A CPS spokesman said the chief crown prosecutor will meet with Harry’s parents as soon as is it possible to provide them with an update.

“We appreciate how difficult this time must be for Harry’s loved ones and understand that his family are seeking answers.

“However, whilst the case is under active consideration, we are unable to meet with Harry’s family to discuss its progress.

"The CPS is carefully considering all the available information, including the impact on Harry’s family, in order to make an independent and objective charging decision."

Family spokesman Radd Seiger argues the CPS is not following the Victims Code, which says victims of crime are entitled to meet with prosecutors 'where possible'.

"Sadly, the CPS could not have made Harry’s family’s lives any more miserable if they had tried," he said.

"Like the rest of us, they are simply entitled to expect that the authorities will do the right thing and comply with their statutory obligations following a serious crime like the one that took Harry’s life."

Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has agreed to meet the family, who are also seeking a second audience with US President Donald Trump.

Cullen brings his side to Northampton on the crest of a wave, with Leinster having won every game they have played so far this season.

They have seven victories from as many matches in the Guinness PRO14, claiming five try bonus points in the process.

And they have taken nine points from a possible 10 in the Champions Cup, beating Benetton and Lyon.

Saints also defeated both of those sides, meaning they are level with Leinster at the top of Pool 1.

And the two teams are now ready for a potentially decisive December double-header, with Leinster coming to the Gardens on Saturday before Saints go to the Aviva Stadium a week later.

"In certain circumstances, a losing bonus point is not the end of the world," Cullen said.

"Whatever situation we find ourselves in, it’s just about making sure we try and maximise every point we can from the fixture.

"It’s not trying to talk in cliches here, but it’s that piece of Europe that is a little bit unique isn’t it?

"We're just trying to get everything we possibly can from all these games."

Cullen has been impressed with Saints, who have produced some fantastic free-flowing rugby at times this season, moving to the top of the Gallagher Premiership in the process.

"They’re going really well," Cullen said.

"Obviously Chris Boyd has come in there last season and now he has some young English coaches around him; Phil Dowson, who’s Northampton through and through at this stage, Sam Vesty for backs and attack.

"I would have played with Sam in Leicester, he has a very, very creative mind, you can see that with the way they’re attacking.

"With Chris Boyd’s background with the Hurricanes most recently and just the attacking mindset that team has, it paints a picture of a head coach that would lead a very attacking oriented set-up and team.

"In terms of the personnel I think they’ve made some great signings. They’ve got that mix of real top end experience, guys who have done it on the biggest stage plus lots of very good young players. It adds to a really good youth and blend in terms of youth and experience.

"You just look through the names, even last weekend Owen Franks pulled out, Courtney Lawes pulls out and Dan Biggar pulls out before the morning or on the morning of the game. They’re replaced by three 22-year-olds essentially and they go on to put in a very commanding performance against Leicester.

"They’ve recruited very, very well but it’s been underpinned by some very good young players which is nice to see from a distance because it’s very much of a similar philosophy we would have here.

"We know it’s going to be a real stern challenge for us tomorrow."

The 19-year-old victim noticed two men were behind him as he walked down an alleyway which exits onto Kendal Close in Boothville between 9.15pm and 9.45pm last night (Thursday, December 5).

He walked from Kendal Close onto Booth Lane North, Grange Road and Greenfield Avenue, becoming increasingly concerned about the pair’s intentions.

He then headed back to Kendal Close where the two men attacked him, punching him before stealing his wallet and his glasses, police said.

The suspects are both described as 6ft, white and in their late teens or early 20s.

They were both wearing tracksuit bottoms and both of their faces were concealed by scarves around their faces.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Karl Spires told Northampton Magistrates Court he did not think about the fact he was banned from driving when he moved his mother's Vauxhall Zafira on November 19.

But the 28-year-old, of Everdon Close, was caught driving on St Peters Way in the town centre.

On Thursday (November 5) he was given an 18-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work, told to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge as well as having an additional six months banned from driving.

The magistrate told him: "If you come back for driving while disqualified again this gets much more severe and you will be in serious danger of being sent to prison."

A bereaved man who threatened someone and spat at a police officer in a drunken rage in Northampton has been sentenced at court.

Yesterday (Thursday, November 5), Northampton Magistrates Court heard how Daniel Beijers was 'blind drunk' when the 'nasty incident' happened on September 15.

But the magistrates accepted the 37-year-old, of Shakespeare Road, was 'not himself' and had managed to stay out of trouble beforehand.

"On the negative side, this was really quite a nasty incident, a guy was injured quite unpleasantly but you have not been charged with hurting him, just threatening," the magistrate told him.

"You also spat at a police officer. On the other hand although you have a short previous record you have managed to stay out of trouble and we accept at the very least you were not yourself on the day this happened."

The magistrate did warn Beijers his actions could have warranted a stay in prison but accepted his mitigation and that he had no memory of it happening.

He was given a 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £50 compensation to the police sergeant, £200 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

It might have been expected that the tie would take place on Saturday but, with both teams playing in their respective leagues on New Year's Day, the decision has been taken to move it to the Sunday.

Northampton's previous FA Cup games this season, against Chippenham and Notts County, were also played on Sundays.

Ticket prices have been reduced for the third-round clash at the Pirelli Stadium. Terrace tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for U17s with seat tickets £12 and £7 respectively.

Confirmation of the club's allocation and the date of ticket sales will be confirmed in due course.

The game will also be delayed by one minute in support of the FA's Take a Minute campaign.

Keith Curle's men reached this stage of the competition with wins over non-league teams Chippenham Town and Notts County, while Burton have already beaten two League Two clubs in Salford City and Oldham Athletic.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle believes there are similarities to be drawn between his side and the Exeter City team they'll go toe-to-toe with at St James Park on Saturday.

Town have lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions and currently sit sixth in Sky Bet League Two, two places and two points below tomorrow's hosts, who are unbeaten in seven matches.

And Curle feels the parallels between the two teams go beyond their recent results.

He said: "They've got good structure but they still have room to express themselves within that foundation and I think that's a sign of success when you have a good formation and a good structure with players able to be creative.

"It's not too dissimilar to what we're trying to do here. Yes, people might say we go a little bit direct but we put players in the right areas and players know where on the pitch they can express themselves and be creative.

"I think both teams have now got a foundation in place and a good understanding within the groups of how they get success."

On what dangers lurk in Devon on Saturday, Curle added: "They've got threat in wide areas, they have good movement up front and they have the lad (Nicky) Laws in midfield who can pop up anywhere.

"Their spectators would probably say they're going a little bit more direct this season than what they did previously under Paul (Tisdale) but they have players that are in-tune with that.

"We will not change our style because we've got good belief and good understanding of what we need to do to win games.

"Is now the time to go away from that? Certainly not."

The vocal midfielder had been warned by referee Paul Marsden just moments before venting his frustration over another contentious decision made by the official, leading to his yellow card.

McCormack's only started eight games this season but has been booked five times, four in the league. The cut-off point for a ban after five yellows came following the win over Grimsby so the 35-year-old must now avoid picking up six more league bookings before the 37-game mark or face a two-match suspension.

Referees are not the only people who feel McCormack's wrath on the pitch though, with team-mates, as well as opposition players, often getting an earful.

Asked about his vocal presence, McCormack said: "I've always been that way and I've always been quite vocal on the pitch, whether it's positive or sometimes a little bit negative.

"I go after the referee a bit and I just try to make sure he doesn't make any poor decisions and that there's two teams in the game.

"Maybe sometimes I go over the top but I don't like being quiet on the pitch and I don't like other people being quiet around me so I just try to keep everyone talking and keep on at other people.

"The referee gets a better angle and can make a better decision on incidents whereas we only see that split-second when we're challenging for the ball.

"There's three of them so generally they are right and generally they do make the right decision but you see it up and down the country in football, every player will say it's not a free-kick or it is a free-kick.

"They'll keep on at the referee and I don't think we're any different here."

Northampton Magistrates Court heard an Audi A5 was seen swerving over the lanes on the dual-carriageway in Billing with no 'L' plates or supervision in the early hours of November 6.

The driver, Ivan Tomescu, 27, of Abington Avenue, was pulled over by police and gave a breathalyser reading of 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

On Thursday (November 5), the Moldovan national pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and drink-driving and his defence solicitor told the court his behaviour was out of character.

"He was driving home from a friend's house, which was a short distance. He had been drinking alcohol but felt okay to drive," she said.

The solicitor added that Tomescu, who works as a brick layer, plans to get his full licence as soon as possible.

Sentencing, the magistrate told him: "The law in this country is very strict in respect of drink-driving.

"We have no discretion and we must disqualify you from driving in this country.

"The level of alcohol in your body was over twice the national limit and therefore you will be banned for a long time."

Tomescu was fined £123 for driving without a licence and £369 for drink-driving, told to pay £85 in costs and a £36 victim surcharge, as well as being disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Dan Biggar knows Saints must be up for the fight if they are to end Leinster's unbeaten start to the season this afternoon (kick-off 1pm).

The Irish giants come to Franklin's Gardens boasting a record of nine wins from as many matches at the start of the current campaign.

They also won all of their pre-season matches, including a 34-26 success in Northampton on September 12.

And Biggar, who faced Leinster on numerous occasions when he was an Ospreys player, said: "I've seen and played Leinster enough over the years to know that regardless of the time of year or who plays for them, they somehow find a way to win and play well.

"We're expecting a team stacked full of big-game players who have been in these situations when they've got to come away and win.

"We know we're going to have to be on form to stop them and we're going to have to try to stop their momentum.

"We know they will want to play a territory-based game with the nine and 10 they've got.

"They play an exceptionally good kicking game and dealing with the physicality will be a big thing.

"Everything we do in our game, even though we play with a lot of width and we play a lot of fancy stuff, if we lose the physical battle in attack and defence, we tend to lose games anyway or certainly get dragged into a dogfight.

"We need to make sure we dominate that physical battle and that can make life much easier for us when we want to play and in defence."