Curle warns aggrieved Cobblers not to wallow in self-pity

The most contentious incident came just 10 minutes in when Sam Hoskins was given his marching orders after he was adjudged to have fouled Harry Charsley in the box.

Both Harry Smith and Alan McCormack felt the decision was harsh and contact between the two men - if there was any - initially started outside the penalty area, but referee Peter Wright saw it differently.

His decision to award a penalty, converted by Danny Rose, and also send off Hoskins had huge ramifications as Cobblers understandably struggled to get back into the game.

However, Curle does not want his players to feel sorry for themselves and says they must take the rough with the smooth and swiftly move on.

"We have to accept it," said Curle. "It's happened and we can't change it now.

"The easiest thing to do now is come out afterwards and absolutely slate the referee for poor decision-making and for not seeing things that everybody else can see.

"But it won't change anything and I won't get any satisfaction out of berating an official. It's happened and we move on.

"What we can take out of the game is our willingness and our desire because they were positives. We don't feel sorry for ourselves and we don't rue bad luck because there are decisions that we've got to be better at."

Despite being a man down for over 80 minutes, Town gave it a good go on Saturday and so nearly got something out of the game.

"Harry Smith's header was close," added Curle. "He couldn't get in the right position and got caught in two minds and it ends up landing just a yard past the post.

"Callum Morton just couldn't get the ball out from his feet inside the box but I loved Harry's goal. Put the ball in the box and the big man will get on the end of it and get it goalbound.

"I like the fact we went for it. I'm disappointed with the outcome, obviously, but we don't feel sorry for ourselves."