It was the latter that sent Cobblers fans into raptures at 4.50pm after a comprehensive defeat at the hands of the Latics. Jason De Vos opened the scoring after seven minutes following a corner.
Richard Hope upended Andy Liddell on 15 minutes right on the edge of the penalty area and escaped with a booking, the resulting freekick smashed into the Cobblers wall.
Nathan Ellington doubled the lead right on half time, nipping in between Ian Sampson and Keith Welch to head the ball into an empty net. Disaster for the Cobblers it would seem, but the visiting fans started celebrating, Colchester had taken the lead 20 miles away at Gigg Lane. Ellington's goal seemed irrelivant!
The sacond half didn't get much better for Town at the JJB Stadium, in the 69th minute, Teale's shot was parried by Welch and Green volleyed in the rebound. Again this goal had little interest for the travelling support, Colchester had gone 2-0 up at Bury, only for the home side to pull a goal back. Moments after the third home goal, the U's scored a third themselves to send Cobblers fans wild.
JJB - Wigan 3-0 Northampton Town
Gigg Lane - Bury 1-3 Colchester United
The game drifted into a comprehensive defeat but not one Cobblers fans was complaining! Ten points from safety on 1st January, but suddenly safety was ensured with one game to go! The Great Escape was complete and Kevan Broadhurst and his players deserves all the credit offered for this fantastci achievement.
THE TOWN ARE STAYING UP!!!