Northampton were beaten 2-1 at home by play-off chasing Barnsley.

A goal in each half by Davis Keillor-Dunn won the game for the Tykes. Sam Hoskins scored a goal back and the visitors did have Mael de Gevigney sent off late on, but it wasn’t enough for the Cobblers to steal a point.

Defeat sees the Cobblers sit 17th in the League One table with 13 games remaining of their campaign, with Northampton now four points clear of the relegation zone.

Having triumphed over Bristol Rovers in their last outing, the Cobblers were pushing for back-to-back home wins in a rescheduled contest against Barnsley.

Despite missing suspended top scorer Cameron McGeehan, it was Northampton that started on the front foot, with Mitch Pinnock and Liam Shaw seeing early strikes from outside the box repelled by goalkeeper Jackson Smith.

Barnsley had a thread of their own, however, and after a dangerous crosses failed to pick out team-mates, the visitors moved in front in the final ten minutes of the first half.

Keillor-Dunn was able to advance with the ball, make space for a shot and then place a low 20-yard strike into the back of the net.

The visitors continued to probe in search of a second goal after the break and one would come their way just before the hour mark through the same scorer as the first.

Stephen Humphreys was able to do the set up work by evading Northampton defenders and playing in Keillor-Dunn, who duly finished a fine strike into the back of the net.

With 12 minutes to go, Northampton were presented with a way back. Dara Costelloe saw an initial strike blocked but the loose ball fell kindly for Hoskins, who was able to drill the ball home.

Chances would fall the home side’s way, with Hoskins having a shot deflected wide and Mitch Pinnock heading off target at a corner.

The home side were then given a man advantage when Barnsley were reduced to ten men just before the end of the regular 90, as defender de Gevigney was shown a straight red card for a foul on Tarique Fosu.

This gave Northampton a man advantage for what turned out to be 11 minutes of stoppage time, but Barnsley held firm to shut Kevin Nolan’s side out and take the points.

Northampton will be hoping for a return to winning ways on Saturday when they take on Exeter City, with the Cobblers travelling to face a Devon side that currently sit in the position below them in the table.