LEAGUE TWO: Stevenage 1-2 Northampton Town

Stevenage slipped to a second home defeat in three days after promotion-chasing Northampton Town triumphed 2-1 at the Lamex on Tuesday evening.

The Cobblers moved to second in League Two in front of 2,362 at Broadhall Way including 588 visiting fans.

A cracking half volley from Cobblers No3 Aaron McGowan put Northampton ahead after showing an excellent technique to put away such a sweet strike on 17 minutes.

Prior to that the most exciting moment was when the sprinklers accidentally came on moments after the opening whistle, soaking the pitch and players, forcing play to halt while the off-switch was found.

Boro's woes were compounded when captain Scott Cuthbert was ruled out the game with Covid, while striker Luke Norris could be missing for the next few weeks after picking up a head injury that left him visibly groggy moments before the break.

Jon Brady's Northampton doubled the lead when Mitch Pinnock fired home to double the lead five minutes after the interval.

Chris Lines swept the ball home to reduce the deficit with eight minutes remaining to give Stevenage hope, but Northampton clinched victory.

Boro remain in 22nd spot, two points ahead of Oldham in 23rd but with the Latics having two games in hand.

Analysing the match, boss Paul Tisdale told Nub News after the match: Tisdale added: "We were on our heels for the first goal.

"You can't plan for that. The second goal was a really bad passing error.

"I can't do much from the touchline regarding those two errors. I have to be able to trust my players to do their job.

"For all the great play and hard work we put in, we still have to do the basics better."

While Boro can argue they have been defeated by second and third respectively in League Two this week, the performance against Northampton was not good enough to encourage hope that Tisdale's side can win enough games to avoid relegation.

With a tough trip to Mansfield on Saturday, followed by a visit to Tisdale's alma mater, Exeter City, the weekend after, Boro's home clash with Oldham on Saturday, April 2 will be vital.

When asked about his side's precarious league position, Tisdale added: "I'm professionally concerned because I can see the table.

"After that I have to retain confidence in my players. I cannot lose faith in them. Because when they still show the energy and the start they showed in the second half - albeit under pressure - I want to keep hold of that while we've got it.

"These things can change very quickly - we have to find a way to do it."