But it could have been worse after they moved a point nearer to Carlisle United after their defeat, with Cobblers also having a game in hand.
Salford City are just two points further back after securing back-to-back wins as a three horse race begins to develop for the third automatic promotion place.
Here is who is going up according to the latest supercomputer predictions.
Give us your predictions on how the season will go via our social media channels.
Here is who is going up according to the latest supercomputer predictions.
![Win the league: 2%
Promotion chances: 35%
Play-off chances: 52%](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM4MDE1YTJkLTYyNWYtNGI3Mi1iYWNkLTA0ZGU0OTFhMWFmMjo3YTJiMDdhMy0xZmVhLTQ4MjItYjY3Ny05NWU5YWMzODYyNmY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Salford City - 75pts (+17)
Win the league: 2% Promotion chances: 35% Play-off chances: 52% Photo: Pete Norton
![Promotion chances: 22%
Play-off chances: 42%](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk4NTQwNjIyLTkzM2EtNDgyYS04NDFiLWNmNWM1YTA4YWJlZTo4OTBmNjcwNy02MmMyLTRkY2QtYTRkYy0zOWZmMjI1MGU0MDA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Stockport County - 71pts (+19)
Promotion chances: 22% Play-off chances: 42% Photo: Naomi Baker
![Promotion chances: 16%
Play-off chances: 36%](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk1NmM1ODk3LTQzYTQtNGE5MC1hZjIzLTdhM2M0MDkxNDY2YjoyZjVjMjY0ZS1iNjc0LTRhYWYtODdjNy1hNjM0NWIxZDE5YjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Swindon Town - 70pts (+12)
Promotion chances: 16% Play-off chances: 36% Photo: Jordan Mansfield
![Promotion chances: 12%
Play-off chances: 31%](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUwOGVlM2YxLTg2NmItNGI5Zi05MTVkLTg2MzZhMmZmNmEwNzpmNjE1ODc4ZS1iMzg4LTQ4MjctYjFkMi1jNzc0N2VlNGIyOWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Bradford City - 69pts (+8)
Promotion chances: 12% Play-off chances: 31% Photo: Chris Holloway