Opposition view: Ainsworth admits Cobblers were worthy winners

Goals from Marc Richards, Lawson D’Ath and Shaun Brisley secured all three points for the Cobblers after they recovered from an early setback when Luke O’Nien headed Wycombe into a second-minute lead.

Danny Rowe struck late to set up a nervy final few minutes but Northampton held on to knock Wycombe off the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Ainsworth said afterwards: “They had three chances in the second half and scored two of them and that’s not good enough.

“They were weak headers that were unchallenged.

“Northampton are a big club in League Two and they will always have goals in them, but the manner of their goals in the second half was disappointing - I thought they were sloppy.

“I thought there were a few tired players out there. We have a small squad and the games are coming thick and fast. A few players were unrecognisable and that’s down to tiredness.

“But there are no excuses, Northampton played well and deserved the three points.

“That’s the worst we’ve played this season without a doubt. We weren’t at the races today and fair play to them they have won the game.

“We still scored two and we were in it right until the end. They were desperate for the final whistle, they celebrated like mad at the end and that shows the respect they have for us but you can’t let three goals in at home.

“It’s a shame we didn’t get anything out of it, but we have to be realistic. We’re not going to win every game and we’re second in the table, so it’s not all doom and gloom. We don’t give up and we never will do.”