Only one place may separate the Cobblers and Torquay United but the gap between them is now four points after the Gulls' win at AFC Wimbledon and the mood of the two clubs could not be more different after Town's disappointing defeat at home to York City.
Chris Hargeaves, the early bookmakers' favourite to succeed Aidy Boothroyd at Sixfields, is now in charge at Plainmoor and celebrated his appointment in style with a crucial three points against Wimbledon in his first game in charge.
"We wanted to go out and make a statement of intent," he said afterwards. "That’s the standard we’ve set now, and we mustn’t drop off it.
"I didn’t sleep for the first two nights after I got the job, and you don’t know the gravity of any job until you sit in the hot seat – you don’t realise how much has to be done. But I was still excited about it – apprehensive, yes, but excited."