Cobblers stay outside the relegation zone after bad day for rivals
Wimbledon and MK Dons lose heavily while Gillingham are the only bottom-half team to win
Cobblers remain just outside the Sky Bet League One relegation zone despite not playing on Saturday.
Town's fixture against Oxford United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the PTS Academy Stadium, providing their rivals with an opportunity to make up ground in the battle for survival.
But AFC Wimbledon were unable to do so in the early kick-off as they were beaten 3-0 at home to Sunderland, Charlie Wyke scoring a hat-trick. Dons stay below the Cobblers and the two teams have now played the same number of games.
In the big game at the bottom, 10-man Rochdale struck deep into stoppage-time to snatch a 3-3 draw at home to relegation rivals Wigan Athletic, lifting them above Northampton on goal difference.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Burton continue to prop up the division after losing at home to Ipswich, while second-from-bottom Swindon were beaten 2-1 by Doncaster Rovers.
Further up the table, MK Dons were swatted aside 3-0 by Peterborough. Dons are three points above Town but have played a game more.
There was a crucial win for Gillingham at Accrington but Bristol Rovers remain level on points with the Cobblers after slipping to defeat at home to Charlton.