The visitors were awarded a freekick in the second minute and Jimmy Bullard curled the ball into the net off the underside of the crossbar with the first shot of the game. It was a perfect start for the visitors and a perfect finish giving Keith Welch no chance.
Town immediately sprung into life and 4 minutes later, Jamie Forrester drove a shot straight at Mark Tyler in the Boro goal.
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The pace of the game continued with end to end attack and on 17 minutes The Cobblers grabbed a desered equaliser. James Hunt picked out Sam Parkin with a free kick and the tall Cobblers striker headed home home, unmarked from eight yards. The goal lifted the Cobblers and the home crowd even more and the Boro goal continued to receive an onslaught. Marco Gabbiadini weaved his way through two defenders, three minutes later, but his shot was weak and was gathered confortably by Tyler.
Seconds later Leon McKenzie skipped clear of the Town defence and fired wide, despite appearing to be yards offside, no flag materialised from the official on the far side.
Just before the half hour mark Forrester crossed for Parkin, but the ball caught underneath the strikers feet and was gathered by Tyler, another let off for Boro. Paul McGregor then had a fine long range effort well saved by Tyler. At the other end David Oldfield missed an easy chance from six yards following a McKenzie pull back.
McGregor sent Forrester clear minutes later, who in turn picked out Gabbiadini but again the Cobblers man couldn't get the power on his shot and Tyler was grateful to collect the ball.
With Town looking the most likely to score the inevitable happened. Chris Hargreaves was up ended by Williams and Jamie Forrester curled a beautiful 20 yard shot past the gobsmacked Tyler.
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The half ended with Town on the up and the home crowd were electric.
The second half began at a slower pace as both sides had early half chances. Oldfield's shot was deflected off Burgess and almost caused Welch problems, but the Cobblers keeper saved well. 12 minutes into the half Bullard curled a fierce free kick over the bar from the identical spot that Forrester scored from.
On 62 minutes McGregor drove a shot just wide of Tyler's post. Parkin and Williams both had long range efforst saved comfortably by each keeper, before Welch saved a swirling cross from Williams and Bullard blasted the rebound over the South Stand.
With just under ten minutes to go, Bullard found French in space, who fired a shot across the face of goal, but Welch pulled of a fantastic saved to palm the ball out for a corner.
That proved to be the last real action of the game as Cobblers held on to possession and claimed the three points. Derek Asamoah, John Hodge and Richard Hope were introduced late on to save any tired mistakes, but in the end it was a comfortable derby win for Town.
Editor's View
A brilliant comeback from The Cobblers. The first time we have hit back to win from a goal down this season. Chris Hargreaves was brillaint in midfield and Paul McGreogor had his best 45 minutes in a claret shirt in the first half. Another great goal from Town for the winner, a great strike from Jamie!
Cobblers Man of the Match - Ian Sampson, brilliant, solid performance at the back, thwarted every Boro attack.
Ref Watch - Barry Knight was ok and made allowances for the conditions. He needs to have a word with his lineman about the offside rule. The official by the East Stand got it wrong many times.