Feeling that the game's 'defining moments' at Sixfields didn't go Town's way, Sampson was left to rue missed chances and a lapse of concentration as title-chasing Notts took away all three points.
The Cobblers boss told http://www.ntfc.co.uk: "If we play like that in our next five games then we will give ourselves every chance of getting into the play-offs."
One of the teams Northampton could catch to finish in the top-seven are their next opponents with a trip to Rotherham on Tuesday night.
The Millers poor form continued on Saturday with a 2-0 reverse against another contender, Morecambe.