Austin ready for 'heavy criticism' as he accepts responsibility for Cheltenham defeat

Once again the Cobblers failed to make the most of a bright start as chances went begging before slack marking from a free-kick allowed Will Boyle to head the out-of-form visitors in front.

Kevin van Veen's penalty just past the hour-mark gave Town a lifeline but they failed to take advantage of it with Conor Thomas scoring his own spot-kick before Kelsey Mooney's late third wrapped up victory.

Northampton have now won just one of their opening seven league fixtures and while Austin was happy to take the flak for Saturday's hugely dispiriting defeat, he also lamented their continued ill-fortune.

"We're going to get heavily criticised and I'm big enough to take that on the chin, it's my responsibility and the team is my responsibility," said the Town boss.

"It's frustrating, obviously. The result is disappointing but the first 35 minutes were probably the best we've played here and we created a number of openings.

"But they go into our box for the first time and we don't defend the set-piece and we concede the goal.

"I feel things aren't going for us at the moment - the free-kick for the first goal was taken seven or eight yards away from where it was and I think that makes a difference.

"The second goal is not a free-kick but they take it quick and Shay Facey gives away a penalty and the third one is offside and it's handball.

"I've seen them all on the computer but that's not the reason why we lost. You've still got to deal with it at the end of the day but when things aren't running for you and when you feel everything is on top of you, those are the things that don't go your way."