A goal in each half was enough for Northampton Town to lose 2-0 at home to play-off hopeful Blackpool.
Ashley Fletcher and Niall Ennis scored the goals that won the game at Sixfields for the Seasiders, with the result seeing Northampton lose for the first time in five games as they were seen off by Steve Bruce’s side.
Defeat means Northampton remain 19th in the League One table. With 8 games to go, they are six points clear of the relegation zone, albeit having played a game more than Burton Albion in 21st who are the highest of the four teams within the dropzone.
Having picked up a credible point against league leaders Birmingham City in their last outing, Northampton had hoped for more against a Blackpool side hoping to bounce back from defeat to Leyton Orient a week ago.
The Seasiders settled into the contest quicker, with Sonny Carey seeing a shot saved by Lee Burge – albeit while offside – and another ripple the side-netting.
Having started in such a manner, Blackpool duly opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Rob Apter’s cross found Fletcher, who duly guided the ball beyond Burge to put the away side into the lead.
Northampton’s best opportunities for a reply saw first Sam Hoskins and then Tyler Roberts miss the target with their efforts.
Roberts was denied by Blackpool goalkeeper Harry Tryer just after the break, but Blackpool came closer when they were narrowly unable to turn it home. Burge saved from Odeluga Offiah, only for the loose ball from that save to fall for Fletcher. A covering defender however stopped the ball from crossing the line.
Just after the hour mark, however, Blackpool grabbed their second. A long ball forward lead to two Northampton defenders getting in a tangle trying to deal with it. That allowed Ennis to pick the ball up, and the Stoke City loanee duly advanced before firing in off a post.
Cameron McGeehan curled a fine strike just wide after, but Northampton ran out of ideas as Blackpool took home the win.
Northampton will seek to return to winning ways next weekend as they face a big game away at second-bottom side Cambridge United.