A battling Cobblers display saw them rediscover their goal touch with strikes from Carlisle and O'Donovan although they were twice pegged back by their promotion-chasing hosts in front of 12,496.
Automatic promotion hopes are now over for Town but they can turn their attentions to the play-offs and a potential date at Wembley.
Manager Aidy Boothroyd was full of praise for his side after the game, telling the official NTFC website: "We will prepare properly, we've got some momentum going again now and we want to keep that going against Barnet."
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