Oxford United suffered a second successive defeat at a snowy Sixfields as Northampton extended the gap between the sides.

The hosts started the game on the front foot and could have taken the lead as Clarke Carlisle headed wastefully over the bar from one of a number of early corners.

Oxford slowly grew into the game and saw Alfie Potter flash an effort wide of the post from distance after Sean Rigg’s square pass.

The formidable Bayo Akinfenwa is very much built for such conditions and the Northampton striker could have done better as he nodded Chris Hackett’s cross straight at Luke McCormick.

As the pitch became heavier a combative contest became ever more likely, but Constable and Craddock combined nicely to send the latter running through on goal. The former Luton striker’s left-footed effort lacked the power and direction to trouble Lee Nicholls.

Hackett forced McCormick into a sharp save at his near post, before Ben Harding provided the crucial goal after McCormick has palmed a Hackett cross to the edge of the box.

As the weather deteriorated further in the second half United threatened a leveller, but James Constable was denied by Nicholls on three separate occasions in front of the away support.

Defeat leaves United six points from the play-off places, but with other sides having played fewer games, that may just be that.