Tuesday night's excellent win at Aldershot in the snow saw Aidy Boothroyd's side leapfrog into the automatic promotion places and emphasised that, with League Two so competitive, a top-three finish is there for the side that puts together the most consistent run between now and the end of the season.
The closeness of the division is shown in the fact that the Cobblers could be back in 6th place by the time they next take to the field but they will travel to Priestfield in high spirits having shown their mettle away from home to add to excellent displays at Sixfields.
"We've let ourselves down away from home of late and we do have to improve, and this is a good step," said Boothroyd afterwards as he continues to dead-bat questions about top goalscorer Bayo Akinfenwa.
Promotion rivals such as the Gills and Rotherham would surely love to land the big striker before the end of January but, despite being rested for the Aldershot win, he remains key to Town's own hopes.