Improved Cobblers drop into relegation zone after harsh defeat at high-flying Lincoln

Cobblers dropped into the Sky Bet League One relegation zone after losing 2-1 to high-flying Lincoln City despite a much improved performance at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

It wouldn't have been a stretch to describe the first-half as Town's best 45 minutes of the season after they went toe-to-toe with their title-chasing hosts.

Whilst they didn't create anything clear-cut, the visitors passed the ball with a refreshing sense of purpose and accuracy and didn't just sit back and defend as they have done in previous away matches.

But for all the encouragement, the half ended goalless and Town reverted to type a little in the second-half with second-placed Lincoln inevitably improving in their pursuit of top spot.

It took a while but the Imps eventually made the breakthrough when substitute Conor McGrandles struck 15 minutes from time, and any hope of a late Northampton fightback was extinguished by Anthony Scully not long later.

Town scored the goal that their performances merited and it was a spectacular one at that with Danny Rose, off the bench only moments earlier, finding the net with a stunning overhead kick in stoppage-time.

But that couldn't stop Cobblers from dropping into the bottom four, although other results were largely favourable and they do have games in hand over some of their rivals.

Ryan Edmondson, Mickel Miller and Bryn Morris were all given their debuts as Keith Curle rang the changes from Town's last league game against Sunderland three weeks ago.

Cobblers lined up 4-3-3 with Edmondson and Miller up front alongside Sam Hoskins and Morris slotting into central midfield, but there was no place in the squad for key defender Alan Sheehan.

The visitors made a bright start to the contest and the new signings were all involved in the opening exchanges, particularly Miller who fizzed a well-struck long-range effort straight at Alex Palmer.

Adam Jackson and Tom Hopper were unable to hurt the visitors with headers from set-pieces at the other end but Lincoln, who had eyes on top spot, were second best in the first half-an-hour.

Cobblers were passing the ball as well as they had done in a long time with Morris at the heart of most of it. He had a couple of goes from range, both well blocked, and Hoskins also tried his luck 20 yards out but skewed wide.

Town's momentum was halted by an unfortunate hamstring injury to Miller 10 minutes before half-time and Lincoln seized the initiative for the remainder of the half, going very close to the opening goal when Jonathan Mitchell got a glove to Joe Walsh's close-range shot.

The half ended goalless after Brennan Johnson put too much on a free-kick but the home side were starting to click into gear and continued their improvement once play restarted.

Cian Bolger's vital clearance inside the six-yard box prevented a certain goal and then Jorge Grant's free-kick on the very edge of the penalty area hit the wall and deflected behind.

Another superb block by Bolger denied Hopper on the hour-mark while Cobblers went close themselves with Hoskins' low cross just evading Morris before Mills' follow-up was blocked.

Town were doing a good job of limiting Lincoln to few clear sights of goal, however they were undone with 15 minutes to go. Tayo Edun got free on the left and his low cross was converted by an unmarked McGrandles.

Cobblers did not have long to mount a rescue act but they felt they should have had the opportunity to score a late equaliser after referee Anthony Backhouse decided not to award a penalty for a sliding tackle on Hoskins.

And that moment proved decisive as just minutes later Lincoln sealed the points. Town's defence switched off to allow Hopper through on goal and he squared to Scully who was left with an empty net.

Hoskins hit the post with an audacious effort in stoppage-time, and the Cobblers deservedly got on the score sheet with the final kick of the game through Rose's fabulous goal.

Lincoln: Palmer, Jackson, Edun (Melbourne 90), Walsh, TJ Eyoma, Rogers (McGrandles 69), Bridcutt (c), Johnson, Grant, Hopper, Scully (Anderson 90)

Subs not used: Long, Jones, Howarth

Cobblers: Mitchell, Harriman, Bolger, Jones, Mills, McWilliams, Morris, Sowerby (Ashley-Seal 63), Hoskins, Miller (Korboa 36), Edmondson (Rose 85)

Subs not used: Berry, Horsfall, Watson, Chukwuemeka

Referee: Anthony Backhouse