Two goals in five minutes see Northampton beaten by Charlton
Northampton Town suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic after two goals in quick succession proved decisive.
Darren Pratley and a Jack Sowerby own goal decided the contest in favour of Lee Bowyer’s side, with both goals coming in six minutes.
It meant Northampton were unable to build on their midweek win over Swindon Town, as they suffered a fourth defeat in five.
The best chance of a quiet first half had fallen to Keith Curle’s side, when Sam Hoskins saw a close-range volley denied by away keeper Ben Amos, although the home side felt they had valid penalty appeals denied in first half added time.
A half-time shuffle by Charlton would have effects, as substitute Pratley received a flicked-on corner and fired it into the roof of the net.
Charlton’s second would come within six minutes, as moments after Paul Smyth had missed a good opportunity, Sowerby turned Alfie Doughty’s cross into his own net for 2-0.
Northampton threw on all their substitutes and came closest when Benny Ashley-Seal fired over when well placed.
But there was ultimately no full way back for the home side, as the Cobblers suffered a reverse.