Northampton secured another season of League One football by thrashing already relegated Shrewsbury 4-1 at Sixfields on Easter Monday.
Dara Costelloe scored two, one in either half, while Aaron McGowan and Cameron McGeehan were also on target as the Cobblers mathematically confirmed their survival.
Mitch Pinnock rippled the side-netting with a fourth-minute free-kick before Jamal Blackman produced a stunning save to tip over McGeehan’s well-struck half volley.
Shrewsbury then had a good spell themselves and Aaron Pierre headed wide, but they fell behind on 26 minutes when McGowan arrived unmarked at the back post to volley home Pinnock’s cross.
Costelloe was close to turning in McGeehan’s squared ball but he did not have to wait long for his first goal, capitalising on Blackman’s hesitancy to nip in and score into an unguarded net.
Shrewsbury dominated possession in the second half but created little and the result was put beyond all doubt with 20 minutes to play when Blackman dropped a corner and McGeehan tapped in.
The gloss was provided late on by Costelloe, who took on Akin Odimayo’s pass and emphatically fired home, with John Marquis scoring a consolation in stoppage time.
