Town had been reduced to ten men in the 42nd minute, Ian Sampson dismissed following a harsh penalty award for an alleged trip on Bruce Dyer. Lee Harper brilliantly saved the penalty to keep the score at 0-0.
Kevan Broadhurst rewarded Derek Asamoah with a starting place following his excellent performance against Chesterfields in the week. The lively forward had the first chance of the half on 23 minutes. He slipped in behind the Barnsley defence, slid the ball past keeper Andy Marriott, but it struck the post and rolled to safety. At the other end Lee Harper saved well from Kevin Betsy from six yards.
The penalty incident happened three minutes before half time, Dyer turned Sampson on the edge of the penalty and collapsed in a heap following very little contact. Referee Andy Hall pointed at the spot and harshly sent Sampson off. Chris Lumsdon stepped up to take the kick in front the North Stand, it was a great kick going in the bottom left hand corner but Harper amazing managed to keep the low shot out.
Ten man Town weathered an early storm from the visitors, Harper again the hero saving a 10 yard thunderbolt from Paul Gibbs who looked certain to score. Paul McGregor came on late in the game and almost scored with his first touch, heading Chris Carruters' excellent cross just wide. Seconds later Paul Trollope missed a golden opportunity, heading Jerry Gill's cross straight at Marriot from six yards. Only a minute later though is was 1-0, McGregor controlled another Carruthers cross, before stroking the ball home across the face of goal.
It was backs to the wall for the final minutes as Barnsley looked to salvage a point, but Town defended brilliantly to hang on and claim their first Sixfields win of the season.
Editor's View - A brilliant win for the Cobblers against a side tipped for promotion. Against all odds Town came back from the sending off to snatch a win helped by a brilliant defensive performance.
NTFConline Man of the Match - Lee Harper, "the best penalty save I have ever seen, it was almost impossible to keep out." Harper pulled off a string of crucial saves to help win the game.
Ref Watch - Andy Hall was terrible, clearly didn't know what he was doing. Gave a range of mystery decisions to both sides and was conned by Bruce Dyer for the penalty. Penalty or not, it was very harsh to send Sampson off.