Two-goal Eddie Akuamoah and French ace Amara Simba were the heroes for Geoff Chapple, who picked up his fifth FA Trophy in the last seven years.

It was the Northampton side that started off the better, as Gary Setchell and Dale Watkins went close for Peter Morris' men.

Brett McNamara scuffed a golden opportunity for Kettering, shooting horribly over when well placed.

Ks roared back and took the lead when a subtle flick from Simba released Akuamoah. Ks' longest serving player, with more than 320 appearances, made no mistake.

Kettering came back at the start of the second half

and deservedly levelled the score.

Skipper Carl Vowden nipped in between Colin Luckett and Matt Crossley to direct Carl Adams' free kick into the corner of the net.

Steve Farrelly then had Ks supporters hearts in their mouths with a silly clearance that was intercepted. Luckily for Ks, the resultant goal was ruled offside.

Then Kettering were awarded a penalty, when Tarkan Mustafa was adjudged to have tripped McNamara inside the area.

Later television replays showed that the Kettering full back had tripped over his own feet.

Craig Norman made no mistake, sending Steve Farrelly the wrong way from the spot.

Chapple's men came back and levelled the scores, when Simon Stewart's free kick was nodded on by Mark Harris for Akuamoah to pounce from close range.

Kettering should have regained their lead, as McNamara was denied by Farrelly and the ball fell for Matt Fisher, who skied the rebound over.

But Ks started to dominate and got their reward when Mustafa's forging 40-yard run and shot was spilled by Adam Sollitt for Simba to skillfully chip the ball into the net.

Geoff Pitcher could have settled the contest in the last minute, but shot straight at the Kettering keeper.