Cobblers still without a goal in 26/27 as defensive calamity proves costly in Crewe defeat

Town played some pleasing football in the opening period, particularly between the two boxes, but it was in the final third where again their play lacked incision and composure.

They did hit the post twice, and also forced Crewe’s goalkeeper into a couple of saves, but they fell behind in comical circumstances shortly after half-time. Looking to roll the ball out, goalkeeper Zach Jeacock did not realise Josh March was behind him and the striker duly nipped in and gleefully rolled the ball into the unguarded net.

That rattled the visitors and they never really recovered until the closing stages, but by that point Crewe had shut up shop as they made it back-to-back 1-0 wins.

There were elements of this performance to be encouraged by, particularly in the first half, but the manner of the goal and the lack of a response afterwards were a concern, as is the fact Cobblers remain without a goal four games into the 2026/27 season.

Harvey Saunders replaced Joe Wormleighton in the only change from the team that drew with Swindon last weekend. Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh made the bench but fellow new recruit Nathan Opoku hadn’t been registered in time to featue.

Cobblers kept possession patiently and confidently in the early stages but it was fair to say that the game took a while to get going as both teams felt one another out.

Town did almost take the lead in strange circumstances when James Maxwell slipped in Logan Briggs on 20 minutes and he sliced his cross onto the outside of the woodwork.

The first conventional chance of the game again fell to Briggs, who did well to control his first-time shot from Matty Warhurst’s clipped ball but it was straight at Tom Booth.

Cobblers began to step it up as Briggs saw another effort fly over and then Booth tipped away Connor Evans’ low attempt, before Calum Agius was wide with Crewe’s first shot on 33 minutes.

Saunders blasted over on the angle at the other end before Maxwell was inches away on the cusp of half-time, driving down the left, beating a man and striking the post in virtually the exact same spot that Briggs had hit earlier in the game.

Crewe started the second half better but Cobblers looked to have ridden out the storm - until they gave away a disastrous goal nine minutes after the break. The visitors took a goal-kick short but got it all wrong and Jeacock was tackled in his own six-yard box, leaving March with the easiest of finishes.

Town lost their way for a period thereafter and Hogg responded by bringing on O’Brien-Whitmarsh for his debut, as well as Elliott List.

List did force Booth into a save at the near post but the away side had lost the control and confidence they had in the first half and Crewe were fairly comfortable.

The momentum did swing back towards Northampton in the closing stages, List in particular was lively and he had a big chance to level with a little under 10 minutes to play, found by O’Brien-Whitmarsh, but unable to steer his shot past Booth.

Despite late pressure, Cobblers ran out of steam and left empty-handed to keep them winless and goalless in 2026/27.

Crewe: Booth, Billington (c), Hutchinson, Offord, Lankester (McNeil 74), Tabiner (Ure 74), Holieck, Gibson (Thibaut 90), Stephenson, Agius, March

Subs not used: Unsworth, Croker, Dancey, Moore

Cobblers: Jeacock, Donacien, Moore, Guthrie (c), Maxwell, L Evans, Fornah, C Evans, Saunders (List 66), Briggs (O’Brien-Whitmarsh 66), Warhurst (Hoskins 77)

Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Dyche, Wormleighton, Perkins

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Attendance: 5,375

Cobblers fans: 861