Northampton Town picked up a 3-0 win over Colchester United at Sixfields to move back into League 2’s automatic promotion spots.

Fraser Horsfall, Sam Hoskins and Benny Ashley-Seal scored the goals for Jon Brady’s Cobblers, who brushed aside the struggling side from Essex.

With Exeter City’s game against Barrow postponed due to the weather, it allowed Northampton to hop back into the top 3 spots. Northampton sit 3rd and are 2 points above Exeter, having played a game more. They are also 1 point behind second place Tranmere, who drew with Port Vale and who Northampton have two games in hand on.

Northampton began brightly, with Hoskins denied by away goalkeeper Sam Hornby within the first 90 seconds.

It would take a little longer but Northampton would grab the game’s opener. Just after the quarter-hour mark, Horsfall was first to Mitch Pinnock’s corner and headed past Hornby to open the scoring.

Colchester had a fair amount of possession but struggled to do a lot with it and the best chances for a second goal in the game before half-time were being created by the home side. Louis Appere had a shot saved by Hornby, while Jon Guthrie had a header blocked on the line at a corner.

But the home side would make another quick start at the opening of the second half and moved 2-0 up within two minutes of the restart. A slick passing move ended with Paul Lewis feeding Hoskins, who drilled the ball into the back of the net.

Colchester’s best chance for a goal back came and went late on, as Alan Judge saw a drive strike the post.

Northampton then duly added a late third goal as Ashley-Seal turned in Hoskins’ cross in the opening minute of second half stoppage time.

It meant a fourth game in a row without losing for Northampton, as they continue their campaign for an immediate return to League One. Their next assignment sees them take on bottom side Scunthorpe United in Lincolnshire on Tuesday night.