Recent loan signing Emile Sinclair was the hero for Northampton Town on Tuesday night as his two goals earned the Cobblers a crucial victory, their first under Chris Wilder, in the League Two basement battle against Torquay United.
The game having survived an earlier pitch inspection, it was Town who got off on the front foot with Sinclair netting twice in the opening 16 minutes.
Torquay replied through Pearce on the stroke of half-time and Chris Hargreaves' men applied plenty of pressure after the break but could not find a way past a resolute Northampton rearguard.
Wycombe's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood means Town are still five points from safety but they will go into the weekend with renewed vigour after winning a 'must-win' game.