A dominant start went unrewarded before Bobby Faulkner headed in the game’s only goal. Here are our player ratings from Sixfields...
5. Joe Wormleighton
A typically lively and sprightly display on the right wing, but the end product was conspicuous by its absence. A lot of second half attacks were funnelled out to him wide on the right where he was surrounded by two or three defenders... 6.5 | Getty Images
6. Josh Powell
Worked hard but the quality on both wings in terms of delivery into the box was not up to scratch. Too many high, floaty balls that were easy to defend against... 6 | Getty Images
7. Lee Evans
Dictated terms for 35 minutes and set the platform for Cobblers to dominate. But Cobblers then played too much in front of Tranmere in the second 45. He touched the ball a massive 134 times, more than double anyone else on the pitch, but struggled to pierce through the away side's compact shape, not helped by the lack of movement ahead of him... 6 | Getty Images
8. Connor Evans
He's got a knack for picking up pockets of space between the lines but on this occasion his use of the ball was disappointing and often led to little... 6 | Getty Images