What happened last night was something out of the ordinary. The fact that we were only playing Sutton who are 10th is in some ways irrelevant.

At the end of the game there was a special moment. The players came to the fans and you could really see that they appreciated, and I think had been lifted, by the level of support.

At the same time the fans gave their wholehearted appreciation for the astonishing level of effort the whole team had put in, and the vital result they had just delivered. This was not a meaningless game in the context of the season. The chips were really down and the team delivered with some players performing unfamiliar roles.
 
It was a mutual exchange of true appreciation of what the players and the fans had given each other.
 
It may all sound totally over the top, but I think you had to be there to fully appreciate that moment.  

I wasn’t at the game but watched on ifollow and I also got that same feeling despite not being there. It felt quite emotional really that despite everything thrown at us we are finding a way. The bond between players, management, staff and fans is something special right now. If promotion is secured it will reach new levels.

After last night's terrific performance and result we need to switch our attention to Saturday. A game which will be no gimme. They are on a run of one defeat in ten games, ours is slightly better of course. Maybe they will relax a bit as it looks like they have probably done enough to survive?
We need to fill Sixfields for this. Harrogate will barely fill the East corner so the South Stand should be opened up to Cobblers fans. Ticket sales are going well currently. Only availability is:
90 in West Stand
89 in North
160 in East

You would think in the next few days we should sell out so open up 900 in the South. Make a big announcement, even offer some at a special rate if needs be. Let's fill Sixfields.

Win the next two and we’re up. That Bradford game will be absolutely massive. We can’t be promoted before it as they have a pesky game in hand which isn’t played until the final midweek on May 3rd. We don’t want to be sweating on that result ahead of the Tranmere game.

Bloody fantastic on and off the pitch tonight. Immense character shown again in the face of adversity. Probably our best win of the season under the circumstances. Promotion is in our own hands. Win the next two and we’re up. I’m sure it won’t be that simple thoigh!

Its a tricky one this season. Hoskins' goals, along with his versatility will put him as a front runner. Although our last 20 league goal player Richard Hill never won the 86/87 POTS award. It went to Ian Benjamin. I think for me I would go Guthrie because he has been the glue that has held the defence together while those around have been absent.

Top 3
Guthrie
Hoskins
Sowerby

Come on, you wouldn't have it any other way. We all love it. Would you rather be in Newport or Tranmere's position? Of course not.

I'd rather be in Orient's position! But no you're right we rarely have a mid table boring end of season, so should embrace the stress!!

It's still in our hands I think but only just. Obviously the Carlisle game is massive and if we can avoid defeat that would be a massive fillip. Stevenage and Carlisle are not showing top 3 form but Stockport and Bradford are coming good. I think we'll need at least 81 points, so another 8 from 5 games. If 6 of them came against Carlisle and Bradford that would be particularly handy. Hope that heavy Newport defeat negatively affecting our goal difference isn't crucial. Carlisle's next two games are against us and then Stockport. Stevenage's fixtures look more favourable but they are without a win in 5. Stockport also have to play Carlisle and Orient and finish up against Hartlepool who could need something to stay up. It's fascinating but I wish it wasn't!

Great performance and deserved win. First half we were very good and could/should have been 2 up. Second half was a battle but we stood up to it well and what a winner from Hondermarck, fantastic. Norman was ok, more of a cultured centre-back than a big ugly brute but we have Guthrie for that. Pity about the goal given away and a couple of shaky moments after. Appere excellent again and is starting to look like a proper striker. Everyone put a shift in including Hylton when he came on. If we could get 2 or 3 players back for the final 5 games to make us stronger that would be such a lift, but let's enjoy this win tonight.

Let's be honest, yesterday was a hugely disappointing performance and potentially a very damaging result. There's no point brushing either of those under the carpet because it was there for all to see.

It wasn't without reason though, was it? We can barely field a side with square pegs in round holes all over the pitch. The players we do have fit aren't getting any rest, have been playing week in, week out and are running on empty. Players are playing with knocks when you normally wouldn't risk them, simply because we have no one else.

I'll happily criticise players when they aren't good enough or just aren't trying. We've had enough players in the past that fall into those categories that we recognise it when we see it. I won't criticise them for being knackered and injured though.

We have a large squad and most of us were cooing about the recruitment, both in the summer and in January so you can't blame the board.

We might not agree with all the tactics or substitutions Brady uses, but look at what he has to work with - he's worked wonders to keep us where we are.

It's no one's fault, it's just the hand fate has dealt us. There's no point getting angry or pointing the finger. Yes, it's frustrating, especially after last year, but all we can do is get behind whichever group of walking wounded we roll out on Monday and hope our support can push them through the pain barrier and get us a result of some sort.

Spot on. Excellent post.

Can’t win ‘em all. Feel the injuries are beginning to catch up with us maybe? Looked out on our feet at the end. Doesn’t bode well with another game in two days time that you’d probably say is must win.

Stick a tier on the South Stand and all our troubles will disappear

I know this often part of Beds' solution as well. This has been said many times before but when Sixfields was built it was with mind that the North and South stands could easily be built back. So add another say 1,100 seats to the South to give away up to 2,000 from the current 900. Many teams in League One would fill that easily, some in League Two even. But, and this will always be the sticking point, what will the ROI be? An extra 1100 on the gate at £22/head is only £24,000 say 10 times a season = £240,000. That would be supplementary income on food/drink if there a half decent concourse as well. If the cost was £2million (purely guessing) that's about 9 years payback.

With Carlisle losing this was a good point especially with a threadbare squad. Didn’t agree with the AK for Hoskins sun as felt it curtailed any attacking intent and invited more pressure than we were already experiencing. However maybe having that extra defender on helped us escape with that point. I do feel Burge should have saved the goal. He seemed to have it covered but it somehow squirmed under him.
The attendance of 7759 was our second highest League attendance at Sixfields. Only the Exeter game last season beats it by 5. We are also heading for our highest 4th tier average home attendance since 2005/06. Currently 5722. In 05/06 it was 5935. I don’t have the splits between home and away fans unfortunately.

Although ‘only’ a draw on Saturday it puts us a further point clear of 4th place Carlisle and it’s another game chalked off. Form table over the last six games sees us top and we gained 6 points more that both Carlisle and Stevenage. Maintain that form over the next 6 games and we will be there. Carlisle have not won or even scored in their last 4 games. If that carries on too then even better. There will still be plenty of twists and turns I’m sure. It’s never straightforward but given our ongoing injury crisis we have done remarkably well to be in this position. If we can get 1 or 2 key players back in each week (and not lose any others) that will give us a greater chance of achieving the automatic promotion slot we crave.

If you are getting off the M1 at junction 15A as you approach the ground near the roundabout there is parking in the field over on the right for £3 this is nearer to the away end south stand. Parking in the north car park is £4.

The would make more sense for an away fan to park in the £3 field. Closer to the South Stand and easier to get away after the match. You'll see the big yellow and black signs.

Just about to say the same thing, that’s shocking support considering how close they are, truly non league.

To be fair they were only given the South Stand. The club decided to hold the East corner back preferring to not sell to away fans, risking 'losing' money on it being empty or hoping it would be needed to accommodate more home fans. Thankfully the gamble is paying off.

Heading for a sell-out. Just 2 away tickets left this morning (presumably they have the East corner as well as not coming up for home sales) and 223 home left mostly in the East Stand. I just wonder if there will be a few empty seats from people going on their Easter Holidays though. But as we know the official attendance is based on sales not people physically in attendance.

[I can’t see Norman starting]

Anyway , back to the real world after the snow storm ….
If McGowan is out on Saturday - who on earth will play centre half ?
I would guess Lintott and someone filling in at RB .
Unless AK is risked which would then put him at future risk of injury .
They will bombard us in the air all game.
I can’t see Norman starting .

I saw a comment from a Queen of the South fan saying they were impressed with Norman when he played for them in the Scottish Championship. Not sure how reliable that comment is but JB has signed him knowing he may have to play him at some point so he must have something about him.

It’s actually looking good despite all our injury woes. We keep finding a way to get results. Others are slipping up. If we can best Stevenage, Carlisle and Bradford we probably only need a couple of other wins.

Comfortable win. Not the greatest of games but we are finding a way to get results.  They rarely troubled us and we could have added a couple more. Yengi wasteful but at least he’s getting into the positions and getting those opportunities. Mitchell really did help us to the three points.
Nice stadium which really puts Sixfields to shame but very quiet home fans. Cobblers loud and proud when it mattered. A bit of a faff buying tickets on the day. Used the Beefeater pub on the retail park. Decent pint and some food. Paid a visit to the shop where Open All Hours was filmed just down the road. A good day.

It’s fantastic from a club legend especially he doesn’t often play as an out and out striker. Let’s hope he gets a few more before the end of the season.