Northampton Town were beaten 2-0 at home by promotion chasing Wrexham.

First half goals by Sam Smith and Ollie Rathbone decided the game in the Welsh side’s favour, with Kevin Nolan’s hosts unable to recover as they slip to a first defeat in three matches.

Results elsewhere saw the Cobblers drop a place to 19th position in the League One table, with Northampton now 5 points above the relegation zone with 15 games to go.

The Saturday lunchtime affair had seen Northampton arrive on the back of victories against Huddersfield and Mansfield, with the Cobblers aiming to take a noteworthy scalp against a Wrexham side chasing a third straight promotion.

The game began in a fairly quiet manner, with few chances in the opening 20 minutes or so. However, two goals around the 20 minute mark firmly steered the game in the away side’s favour.

A 19th minute opener put the visitors ahead, when a long pass by Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard released Smith, and the Welsh side’s January signing beat Nik Tzanev in a one-on-one, scoring his first goal for the club.

Three minutes later, Northampton fell 2-0 down. A long ball was not dealt with by the hosts, allowing midfielder Rathbone to run forward, elude challenges and drill a shot in via the post.

The visitors looked likelier to grab the game’s next goal, with Jordan Willis having to make a last-minute blockade, James McClean striking the post with a corner and Rathbone firing wide.

Northampton had struggled to get going in an attacking sense in the first half, and were still on the back foot after the break, with Jay Rodriguez denied by Tzanev and substitute Steven Fletcher heading wide.

Sam Hoskins saw a late strike bounce wide, but a two goal lead would be insurmountable as Wrexham left with the points.

For the Cobblers, they will seek to bounce back next weekend when they welcome Bristol Rovers to Sixfields.