Two late goals saw Northampton beaten 2-1 at home by Rotherham United despite scoring first.

Sam Hoskins’ 100th Northampton goal had put the Cobblers ahead at Sixfields, only for strikes in the last 20 minutes scored by Joe Rafferty and Josh Benson to win the game for the side from Yorkshire.

Defeat was the Cobblers’ first at home since mid-August, with the result seeing Kevin Nolan’s side left in 14th place in the League One table.

A busy start at Sixfields saw each side have early moments. Hoskins thought he had put Northampton ahead in the 8th minute when he headed in from Terry Taylor’s cross, only for an offside flag to thwart him. Rotherham had their own early chances, meanwhile, with Denzel Hall and ex-Northampton man Shaun McWilliams missing the target.

The game’s opening goal would be for the Cobblers. A foul by Zak Jules on Kamarai Swyer saw the hosts given a penalty, and from 12 yards, Hoskins beat Rotherham keeper Cameron Dawson. The strike was Hoskins’ 100th strike in a Northampton shirt, making him just the 4th player in the club’s history to hit such a milestone.

Rotherham offered little between falling behind and the break, but they would offer more after half-time, with Martin Sherif firing wide when well placed.

The Millers would duly find their way back on level terms with just under 20 minutes to go. Rafferty would score the equaliser, with the Rotherham man receiving Jordan Hugill’s knockdown and firing into the back of the net.

The game’s decisive moment then came with 87 minutes on the clock. Benson’s precise free-kick left Ross Fitzsimons with no chance, putting the visitors ahead.

Northampton were unable to respond to this blow, falling to defeat. Nolan’s Cobblers will seek to respond next time out, when they travel to Doncaster next Saturday.