Stags' win leads to new job for ex-boss Curle

Former Mansfield Town manager Keith Curle, who has been appointed the new boss of Northampton Town.

For Northampton reacted to the defeat by sacking boss Dean Austin and replacing him with Keith Curle.

The 54-year-old Curle famously guided Mansfield to the League Two promotion play-off final in 2003/04, his first full season in charge.

But they lost at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on penalties to Huddersfield Town, who are now, of course, a Premier League club.

Seven months later, Curle was controversially sacked amid allegations that he bullied a youth-team player, only to later win a case for wrongful dismissal and have his name cleared.

He went on to manage Chester City, Torquay United, Notts County and Carlisle United and now finds himself at Northampton, who are struggling near the foot of the League Two table.

The Cobblers’ chairman, Kelvin Thomas, said: “We need a manager with a lot of experience of League Two, and Keith has that.

“He took over at Carlisle in similar circumstances and did an excellent job.

“Not only did he steer them out of trouble, he also developed a squad that was able to challenge for promotion.”

Curle won three caps for England and made 174 appearances for Manchester City during an illustrious playing career between 1981 and 2005.