Northampton beaten by Doncaster in Boxing Day to forget
Northampton Town endured a Boxing Day to forget at the Keepmoat Stadium, as they were beaten 3-0 by Doncaster Rovers.
On a day when victory could have pulled the Cobblers level with the sides above the drop zone, the visitors offered little on their way to defeat.
Doncaster were the side with the bulk of the early chances, and took the lead just after the half hour mark. James Coppinger bundled the ball over the line to give the home side the advantage after both he and John Marquis had initial attempts blocked.
It was then 2-0 just before half-time. A foul by Matt Grimes on Marquis saw Doncaster given a penalty kick, and from 12 yards, Niall Mason beat Matt Ingram, even if the keeper denied.
Ingram made a fine double stop to deny Alfie May and Marquis, before Grimes then headed one off the line from the resulting corner. But Northampton were then 3-0 down seconds later as Andy Butler forced the ball over the line.
The result means Northampton fall back to defeat after getting 4 points from two home matches before Christmas, and sit three points from safety ahead of a trip to Portsmouth in their final game of 2017.