The goals of Scott McGleish are carrying Northampton's well-timed promotion challenge towards League One next season.
McGleish might be due for a hernia operation in the summer, but he does not currently look like a man requiring immediate surgery and he produced another match-winning performance to leave the Hatters nervously looking over their shoulders at the other end of the table.
After a goal-less first half, McGleish fired the Cobblers in front in the 54th minute when he lashed the ball home from six yards. Stockport defenders were looking for an offside flag that never came as a right-wing corner was headed into the striker's path by Sean Dyche.
McGleish could easily have claimed Northampton's second goal 17 minutes from time when he challenged goalkeeper James Spencer as the pair went for a right-wing cross from Martin Smith, but when the ball flew into the net the credit went to Smith, although McGleish could easily have made a touch.
Four minutes later a brilliant bit of skill by McGleish almost brought a third goal when he turned sharply and fired a volley from 15 yards which hammered against a post before rebounding to safety.
Stockport only created one chance of note in a tentative first half, but it was the best of the opening 45 minutes. It arrived in the 23rd minute when a shot by Keith Briggs was deflected by Ashley Williams forcing Lee Harper to make a sharp reflex save on his goal- line. The Northampton goalkeeper then needed to be alert to keep out a second shot from Williams.
For all Northampton's early probing they couldn't get the initial breakthrough they needed, although McGleish and Andy Kirk shared four half chances in the opening half hour while Smith drilled a shot which Spencer saved on his near post.
Stockport's substitute Liam Dickinson brought fresh life to County's attack in the second half, but the closest they came was when skipper Briggs hit a left footer which grazed the post.