Hoskins' early red 'frustrated the life' out of Curle

It was the game's key moment and ultimately cost Town defeat and therefore a blow to their play-off hopes.

The hosts began well but Hoskins' clearance was charged down and he compounded that error when pushing Harry Charsley inside the penalty box. Hoskins had made no attempt to play the ball and was the last defender so therefore saw red.

Danny Rose converted from the spot and despite responding admirably, 10-man Cobblers missed several chances to equalise before Willem Tomlinson rolled in a second 16 minutes from time.

Harry Smith's stoppage-time header was merely a consolation and Curle was left to rue on Hoskins' fatal early mistake.

"I thought we started the game really well and we were in the ascendancy but decisions that players make frustrate the life out of me," said Curle.

"If you land on the ball, look for a forward pass and if it's not on, turn around and give the ball back to the goalkeeper and he's got 40 yards to control the ball and allow us to get in shape and he can clear the ball.

"If you do that, we've still got a level playing field after 10 minutes but then, after that, when you're chasing somebody down over 30 yards, the worst thing you allow to happen is for him score because you keep 11 men on the pitch and we win the game.

"The first contact is made outside the box and their lad overruns it but the referee gives a penalty because his fall takes him past the penalty spot from the edge of the box.

"That's a decision we have to live with but I felt there was lot of positives because effort, desire, willingness and application were all there."