Northampton Town’s hopes of moving further away from the dropzone were dented after a 2-1 defeat away at promotion hopefuls Charlton Athletic.

Dara Costelloe’s penalty had cancelled out Luke Berry’s early opener in South London, but a second half goal by Matty Godden won the game for a Charlton side that confirmed their play-off place with victory.

For Northampton, a first defeat in three games cuts their advantage over the relegation zone down to 4 points after a Good Friday round of fixtures in which Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers both picked up a point after draws.

With injury, loan ineligibility and suspension hindering Kevin Nolan’s options, a reshuffled Northampton side fell behind inside nine minutes. Berry was first to TJ Eyoma’s partial clearance of a cross and he duly dispatched a finish beyond Lee Burge.

But Northampton would only be behind for six minutes. Charlton defender Tom McIntyre was deemed guilty by the referee of handball in the box, with the ref giving Northampton a penalty that Costelloe duly scored.

An open first half saw neither side grab a third goal in the period. Northampton’s best chance was headed wide by Aaron McGowan, while Godden would see a strike blocked by the Cobblers’ Cameron McGeehan.

Former Charlton winger Tarique Fosu blasted a fine chance off target for the visitors just after the break, before the hosts would miss chances of their own. Berry saw a header go off target before Godden saw a strike smash off the crossbar.

But with just under 20 minutes to go, Charlton re-took the lead. A flick-on by substitute Chuks Aneke released Godden, who was able to place a strike underneath goalkeeper Burge and into the back of the net.

Nolan’s visitors gave it a go late on but an equaliser proved elusive, allowing Charlton to take the points that get them into the play-offs and leave Northampton still sweating on their League One status.

Northampton will be aiming to take a big leap towards securing their League One status on Easter Monday.

They will host bottom side Shrewsbury Town, whose relegation to League Two was confirmed on Good Friday after Burton’s draw in the early kick-off, before they also lost to Wigan Athletic, which would’ve sent them down even if Burton drew. A trip to another side in the bottom 4 then follows with the Cobblers playing Crawley in their final away game.