More late goal misery for Cobblers as they slip to defeat at play-off rivals Cheltenham Town

There was precious little between the teams for so much of the game but it was familiar shortcomings that did for Town once again, namely failing to defend an early lead and then conceding yet another late goal as their play-off hopes took a big hit.

They had made a superb start, like they did against Exeter at the weekend, and hit the front through Ryan Watson's excellent third-minute goal, but this time they couldn't sustain it and Cheltenham were level thanks to Ryan Broom's long-range strike.

A draw looked the most likely outcome in a tight and cagey second-half until Cheltenham launched a late rally, culminating in Varney's close-range finish four minutes from full-time.

Vadaine Oliver hadn't sufficiently recovered from the knock he picked up on Saturday so manager Keith Curle brought in Michael Harriman and shifted Sam Hoskins up front.

Cobblers weren't out of the blocks quite as quickly as against Exter at the weekend but they didn't need much longer at Whaddon Road, moving into the lead with just three minutes gone.

Cheltenham failed to clear Charlie Goode's long throw and the ball came out to Watson, who controlled on his chest and crashed a pinpoint volley into the bottom corner.

It was just the start Town were after and it almost got better a few moments later when Callum Morton's flick-on dropped to Hoskins inside the box, but he dragged wide of the near post.

Alfie May drew a routine stop from David Cornell at the other end before Cheltenham levelled with a soft goal, the excellent Broom afforded time and space to cut inside and pick out the bottom corner, beating the late dive of Cornell.

The first-half continued to be tit-for-tat with May's shot, taken from an identical position that Broom scored, gathered by Cornell before Hoskins almost squeezed an effort inside at the near post.

Will Boyle, who was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow for a strong challenge on Watson, had a header blocked and Morton scuffed wide of the far post as the opening period ended level.

The second-half was slow to get going but Cobblers were agonisingly close to retaking the lead on the hour-mark when Lloyd Jones' header from a Nicky Adams free-kick landed a whisker wide.

Although goalmouth action was at a premium in the second-half, the game felt on knife-edge all the way through with both sides capable of nicking a winning goal.

And it nearly came for the home side with nine minutes to go when May played a slick one-two in the box but was denied by the onrushing Cornell.

Cornell made another good stop moments later but it was to be in vain as the Robins snatched victory with four minutes to go. Cornell struggled to clear under his crossbar and the ball dropped perfectly for Varney to poke into the net.

That earned the Robins three huge points in the race for promotion, leaving Town clinging onto the final play-off spot.

Match facts

Cheltenham: Evans, Long, Hussey, Tozer (c), Raglan, Thomas, Broom, Boyle, Doyle-Hayes, May (Addai 90), Reid (Varney 81)

Subs not used: Lovett, Clements, Sheaf, Greaves, Nichols

Cobblers: Cornell, Goode, Jones, Turnbull, Watson, Lines, Anderson (Wharton 45), Harriman, Adams (McCormack 86), Hoskins (Marshall 86), Morton

Subs not used: Arnold, Martin, Pollock, Warburton

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 2,934

Cobblers fans: 276