Aiden O’Brien has cancelled out Louis Appéré’s first-half opener but Hodnermarck stroked a beauty into the top corner just eight minutes from time as Town got their promotion challenge back on track. They remain second in League Two, three points clear of three teams, ahead of a big game at Carlisle. Here are our player ratings from Sixfields...
9. Mitch Pinnock
Looked on it from the word go and the first-half was the best he's played in a while. Delivered the ball that saw Appéré open the scoring and his crossing could easily have set up more goals... 7.5 Photo: Pete Norton
10. Kieron Bowie
Plenty of endeavour without making any telling any contribution. His presence alone was enough to force an error that allowed Appéré to fire in. So close to glancing in Pinnock's second-half cross before flashing a ball across goal himself. A case of nearly but not quite for the Fulham loanee... 7 Photo: Pete Norton
11. Louis Appéré
Broke the deadlock with a well-taken 33rd-minute strike, his eighth goal of the season in all competitions. Glanced a header wide and left it all out there before running out of steam late on. He's risen to the occasion when Cobblers have needed him most in these last few weeks... 8 Photo: Pete Norton
12. Jack Sowerby
Can't imagine he's ever played at centre-back before but for 45 minutes it was as if he's been playing there all his life. So calm and assured and made some important interventions. His quality and composure on the ball provided an additional benefit of having him in that position... 7.5 Photo: Pete Norton