2013 started with consecutive home victories against Dagenham & Redbridge and Fleetwood as the Cobblers managed 12 wins from their league fixtures after the turn of the year.
That led to talk of automatic promotion at one stage and eventually a shot at the play-offs which ended in Wembley defeat.
The latter half of the year, however, has seen just 4 wins from 23 league games and a desperate fight to avoid relegation which was due to begin on New Year's Day against League Two leaders Chesterfield before the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.