Wasteful Cobblers up against it as they suffer painful play-off defeat against clinical Cheltenham

Town's first game back in 103 days ended in deep disappointment following goals from Charlie Raglan and Connor Thomas and now they have it all to do going into Monday's second leg.

Cobblers started and ended the first-half on top but Cheltenham bossed the middle third and, crucially, they made their superiority tell through Raglan's header just shy of the half-hour mark.

Ryan Watson's early missed penalty ultimately proved costly, particularly when Thomas popped up with a late second, as Cheltenham showed just why they have the best defensive record in the division.

Town created enough openings to at least come away with a draw but they were repeatedly thwarted by the impressive Owen Evans, who made four excellent stops throughout the contest.

Cobblers will now have to do something dramatic at Whaddon Road on Monday if they are to keep the promotion dream alive.

Steve Arnold was selected ahead of David Cornell in goal while Keith Curle also went with Michael Harriman at right wing-back and James Olayinka in midfield.

Otherwise, the team largely picked itself, and despite the eerily quiet atmosphere at a deserted PTS, the game began at a decent tempo and Cobblers in particular settled well.

They were given a golden chance to take the lead on 17 minutes when Ryan Broom tripped Michael Harriman inside the penalty box, but Evans was down superbly to keep out Watson's spot-kick.

That let-off appeared jolt Cheltenham into life and they grew in confidence before taking a 27th-minute lead.

Town had looked vulnerable from a couple of earlier set-pieces and they did so again when Jake Doyle-Hayes' set-piece found an unmarked Raglan, who headed beyond a motionless Arnold.

The visitors went up another gear after the goal and took the game by the scruff of the neck as Arnold saved from Reuben Reid and Tom Nichols curled over.

Cheltenham were sharper and quicker and easily snuffed out Town's physical and aerial threat for most of the first 45 minutes.

Cobblers did end the first-half better, though, and they were close to a leveller when Evans beat away Vadaine Oliver's shot and the rebound agonisingly evaded Callum Morton.

Arsenal's Olayinka was on the fringes of the game but he too forced the impressive Evans into action during seven minutes of stoppage-time with an effort from the edge of the box.

But Town trailed at the break and Evans continued to be their nemesis in the second-half when he was out quickly to smother at the feet of Oliver just two minutes in.

Reid's fierce strike was tipped over by Arnold at the other end before Olayinka's toe-poke narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Andy Williams, Paul Anderson and Harry Smith were all introduced by Curle but to no avail. Instead, his side were hit by the sucker-punch with just three minutes to go.

A scramble in the box was not clared by the home side and they were punished by Thomas as he found the bottom corner to take Cheltenham a giant step towards Wembley.

Match facts

Cobblers: Arnold, Goode, Turnbull, Wharton, McCormack (Anderson 67), Harriman, Watson, Olayinka, Adams, Oliver (Smith 76), Morton (Williams 67)

Subs not used: Cornell, Martin, Lines, Roberts, Pollock, Marshall

Cheltenham: Evans, Raglan, Tozer, Boyle, Long, Thomas, Doyle-Hayes, Broom (Ince 81), Hussey, Nichols (May 74), Reid (Smith 74)

Subs not used: Lovett, Debayo, Clements, Greaves, Sheaf, Varney

Referee: Marc Edwards