Kevin Thornton's early sending-off against Aldershot on Friday night paved the way for the visitors to score three unanswered goals and end Northampton's excellent recent record as three games in six days took their toll on the 10 men.
"The players have been a real credit to the football club over the last two months," Sampson told the official club website.
"There is no reason why we can't start another run."