Hogg will have 'sleepless nights' after Tranmere defeat

Cobblers dominated for 35 minutes at Sixfields but their failure to convert several chances was punished by Bobby Faulkner’s header shortly before half-time. That proved to be the game’s only goal as Town were unable to back up their win at Grimsby.

“You don’t suddenly crack it and life’s perfect because you’ve picked up four points on the road, and you don’t have a right to come back to Sixfields and get results,” said Hogg.

"There’s always another team on the pitch and you know Tranmere will be organised, but we still got into good areas and then it was a bit of quality that let us down and that was the telling factor in the end.

"We dominated the game but we can't waste opportunities like we have tonight. You score a goal in that moment and the belief and the energy is different and it changes the environment in the stadium. You have to be at it for 90 plus minutes.

“We have to stick with the good bits, and there were some good bits, but you also saw areas where we have to be better. You don't become a dominant, winning team overnight, it's always a journey and you have to go through some of the frustration and some of the hurt that we're feeling now.

“We know we're on a journey but we have to accelerate quickly and I think we've done that over the last couple of weeks. It just feels like a punch to the gut because you're trying to build some momentum. But that's what life's all about, we have to ride the wave, take it and go into Saturday full of energy.”

Cobblers have the chance to bounce back against Colchester this weekend.

"The beauty of football is that there's always another game,” added Hogg. “I'm looking forward to it. I'll have a couple of sleepless nights after that result but we have to take the positives and there were lots.

"I'm stood here now and it's hard to take in the moment but there were lots of good things and it's very important not to get down about one game. The challenge is how we respond on Saturday.”