It all looked so good at half-time, as United were 1-0 up at Northampton through a 22nd minute Steve Basham header from a Matt Robinson cross. Unfortunately two goals were conceded from right-wing crosses in the second half to gift the points to the Cobblers, after United had threatened to swamp the hosts in the first 45 minutes. Northampton equalised through Marc Richards in the 63rd minute, and took the lead ten minutes later when Paul Trollope converted.

Graham Rix only made one change from the side that started against Doncaster last weekend, bringing Richard Walker into the side to replace James Hunt. Walker played as an advanced midfielder, just behind Steve Basham. This meant that Simon Cox kept his place in goal, and Dave Waterman continued at right back. Rix’s first substitution is what, arguably, turned the game in Northampton’s favour, as he replaced the rampant ROS Chris Hackett five minutes before the Cobblers’ equaliser, bringing on Lee Steele, when many believed that it was Courtney Pitt who was the weaker winger. Immediately prior to Northampton’s winner Rix replaced Walker, who had linked up well with Basham, bringing on Jon Ashton, who took up a midfield role. Rix’s final throw of the dice was to replace Pitt with Julian Alsop with five minutes left, but it was too little, too late.

Referee Kevin Friend had previously been in charge of United’s 1-1 draw at Boston in October. He missed several shouts for handball, but otherwise had a quiet game, although he was forced to book Matt Robinson ten minutes from time for bringing down Eric Sabin (in itself not a particularly heinous crime). The attendance was 6,799, swelled by a large away following, far greater than the official figure of 1,250 as there were many Us’ fans in the home stands. It was the highest Division Three attendance of the day. We are hopeful that someone will contribute a match report tomorrow.

This defeat drops United down to sixth, below Lincoln, who won 3-0 at Rochdale, while it leave Northampton four points off the play-offs, and five below the Us. Leaders Doncaster had a late surge to beat Bury 3-1, while second-placed Hull came from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Kidderminster. Third-placed Huddersfield also drew 1-1 after being a goal down, but also had two players sent off in their game at Leyton Orient. Fourth-placed Torquay came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to eighth-placed Yeovil, who are level on points with Northampton. Mansfield, who Oxford play on Tuesday, remain one point below United after being held 1-1 at home by sixth-bottom Cambridge United. Swansea City are now ten points off the play-offs after losing 2-1 at home to bottom club Carlisle.

That win lifts the Cumbrians to within two points of Macclesfield, who visit third-bottom York tomorrow. A win for Macc would drop York into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Fifth-bottom Darlington lost 1-0 at Boston. In the Conference, leaders Chester City won 2-0 at Accrington Stanley, with former United defender Scott Guyett scoring the opening goal.

There were a number of ex-Us on the scoresheet in Scotland, too. Andy Thomson scored for Partick Thistle in their 2-1 defeat at Dundee, while Derek Lilley was on target for Livingston in their 3-1 loss at Hibernian. In the Scottish Third Division, Derek Townsley scored the only goal as Gretna won 1-0 at Stirling Albion.