Northampton boss Jon Brady says his side made it “too easy” during the first half of their 2-1 defeat at Wanderers.

Dion Charles and Randell Williams struck for the Whites in the opening 45 minutes, while Sam Hoskins pulled one back after the break.

Brady was pleased with the response from his side in the second half but admitted it was always going to be tough to get something from the game after their slow start.

“Overall, it probably is frustrating that we didn’t get a point from the game. But you can’t start like we started against a high-quality side like Bolton,” said the Cobblers chief.

“I thought the way we pressed, we were disjointed and it wasn’t meant to be that way. They picked us off too easily and it was too easy to get through for both goals.”

He added: “Sam’s goal was a good goal, well worked. We had a really good chance from the press and then the flick from the throw-in, but on-one follows it in.

“(There were) a few more little half chances, but it shows we can be competitive and the way we can play against Bolton in the second half.

“In the first half, you can credit them for the way the play – and they play good football – but we made it too easy for them, that was the disappointing thing. When the ball was turned over to us, we were poor and that has been unlike us.

“We got to grips with the game in the second half and used the ball so much better. We were braver and moved it a lot quicker.”

The result sees Wanderers climb to fourth in the League One table, only behind third-place Barnsley on goal difference with a game in hand.

Ian Evatt’s men are back in action on Tuesday night when they head to Adams Park to take on Wycombe (7.45pm).