LUKE BECKETT led the way as Town banished their bad memories of last season’s humbling at Huish Park by taking a vice-like grip on the latest contest there.
Centre-back Rob Page was once again impressive as Andy Ritchie’s side notched their third victory, and third clean sheet, in his three appearances so far.
But it was fellow thirtysomething Beckett who really caught the eye as Town collected their second double of the season.
It wasn’t just the cool way he slotted home a 24th-minute penalty to chalk up his ninth goal of the campaign and give his side the lead.
For the 31-year-old was a handful for Yeovil all afternoon, harrying defenders, holding the ball up skilfully and laying it off with precision.
Beckett came close on three other occasions and set up Michael Collins for the 51st-minute goal which left no way back for the home team.
Among the admirers was suspended Yeovil left-back Nathan Jones, who admitted: “We just couldn’t deal with him. Luke was excellent.”
Yeovil started the stronger, and Matt Glennon had to save from Lloyd Owusu before Andy Holdsworth, guarding the line, cleared up as a Zoltan Stieber corner found its way through.
But as Town started to find their feet, the chances came, with former Yeovil man Phil Jevons, who was jeered by the home fans all afternoon, shooting wide before Holdsworth won the corner which led to the penalty.
Robbie Williams floated the ball in from the Town right to the near post, where home skipper Terry Skiverton, who claimed he had been pushed, clearly handled.
Beckett grabbed the ball ahead of Jevons, who had converted Town’s only other spot kick this season (at Nottingham Forest on new Year’s Day), and put his shot to Steve Mildenhall’s left as the keeper dived the other way.
Two minutes later, the former Grimsby stopper denied Jevons, whose shot followed another Beckett lay-off.
Meanwhile on 35, Page produced a fine block as Owusu shaped to shoot from Stieber’s pass.
Yeovil couldn’t stifle Town’s forward movement, however, and Holdsworth’s diagonal run and Danny Schofield’s deft pass set up Beckett for a close-range shot which Mildenhall did well to block.
Russell Slade’s side badly needed to start the second half on the offensive, but Town took up where they left off.
In a repeat of the move which led to the FA Cup winner at Oldham, Nathan Clarke hurled in a long throw which Beckett headed narrowly wide.
And just as the home fans in a 4,823 crowd were reflecting on a let-off, Collins struck, playing a one-two with Beckett and darting into the space his teammate created to guide home a right-foot shot.
Yeovil were flustered, and after Jon Worthington’s header was blocked, Beckett pounced on the rebound, only for Mildenhall to block with his legs.
Then, after 64 minutes, Jevons collected a knockdown from Beckett (who else?), broke down the left and cut in to send in a shot which had the keeper diving.
Slade had rung the changes in a bid to conjure a comeback, but the best Yeovil could manage was ex-Town striker Marcus Stewart’s curling 83rd-minute shot which went just over Glennon’s bar.
Player ratings
Matt Glennon
Made the saves he needed to and was quick to point out the three successive clean sheets!
8/10.
Frank SInclair
Used all his experience to shepherd on-loan Villa man Zoltan Stieber, who looked pretty useful.
8/10.
Robbie Williams
Took a while to get the measure of new signing Jaime Peters, but then blotted out his threat.
8/10.
Andy Holdsworth
Looked as lively as ever and dovetailed neatly with Jon Worthington as Town won the contest in midfield.
8/10.
Nathan Clarke
That’s three very solid displays on the trot from a player whose composure and confidence is returning.
8/10.
Rob Page
Has hardly put a foot wrong in his three Town outings since signing from Coventry. Long may it continue!
8/10.
Michael Collins
Impressive at right-back against Bournemouth, he moved up to right midfield to shine on Saturday.
8/10.
Jon Worthington
Showed good self-control to remain unruffled in the face of some apparent wind-up tactics. A bright display.
8/10.
Luke Beckett
With a goal, three more efforts, some fine hold-up play and neat passing, his best display of the season.
9/10.
Phil Jevons
The ex-Yeovil man came in for some jeering from the home fans but kept plugging away throughout.
8/10.
Danny Schofield
Worked the left wing well to provide Town with balance and did his fair share of tracking back.
8/10.
Town substitutions
Malvin Kamara for Jevons, 76mins; Andy Booth for Beckett, 85mins. Subs not used: David Mirfin, James Berrett, Alex Smithies.Cautions: Holdsworth, Williams.
Yeovil
Mildenhall, Lynch, Skiverton, Forbes, Peltier, Peters (Williams, 73mins), Rose, Bircham (Barry, 62mins), Stieber, Owusu (Stewart, 56mins), Kirk.
Subs not used: Guyett, Warne.
Ref watch
Experienced Northamptonshire official Richard Beeby showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot to award Town their penalty for handball by Terry Skiverton and quickly dismissed claims the Yeovil man had been pushed.
The cautions for Robbie Williams and Andy Holdsworth were fair enough. Rob Page could have been yellow carded for a late tackle, but escaped.
