Back-to-back victories at Accrington and against Burton Albion on Saturday have revived optimism at Sixfields while also dragging a host of other teams into the survival scrap.
Wycombe Wanderers are now level on points with the Cobblers and the two sides meet in a huge game on Good Friday.
Bristol Rovers, Exeter City and Morecambe are above Wycombe while the surprise name in the relegation frame is Hartlepool after five straight defeats for Colin Cooper's side.
"To make sure people don't get twitchy and jittery we need to get three or four points quickly," Cooper told BBC Tees after defeat at Chesterfield.
"We need as many people at Burton next week with big hearts and big minds and it's the same for the game at Morecambe on the Monday.
"If we don't get the points, it's going to take a strong mental approach to get through the last three weeks."