Northampton's final away game ends in defeat to struggling Crawley

Northampton’s final away match of the season saw them beaten 3-0 by Crawley Town as the home side kept slim hopes of survival alive.

Goals by Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, Jeremy Kelly and Kamari Doyle won the game for the home side, with Northampton unable to get themselves a final away win of the season.

Victory looks to be in vain for Crawley, as Burton Albion’s last minute winner against Cambridge means the Brewers are three points clear of both Crawley and Bristol Rovers but with a goal difference advantage in excess of ten and with a game in hand. Burton would confirm their survival with a point against Wigan in their game in hand on Tuesday.

As for the Cobblers, who confirmed their own survival on Easter Monday, they sit 18th with one game of the season to go, though they would be leapfrogged if Mansfield manage a surprise win away at league champions Birmingham City.

Knowing they needed a win, Crawley began on the front foot with Liam Fraser shooting just wide in the early stages.

Toby Steward denied Cameron McGeehan in Northampton’s first opportunity of note, before the home side took the lead in the final minutes of the first half.

Hepburn-Murphy received a pass from Panutche Camara, before drilling a low shot that beat Lee Burge.

Just after the break, Kelly saw a strike deflected onto the bar by Terry Taylor, with Dara Costelloe denied on a Cobblers break.

A second goal from the home side looked likelier, however, with Burge denying Hepburn-Murphy and the scorer of the first half goal seeing a later strike blocked.

Crawley would make it 2-0 with just under 25 minutes to go, as Kelly placed a finish into the back of the net beyond Burge’s grasp.

Substitute Doyle would grab a late third for the home side, which confirmed victory for the Red Devils and left them hoping for positive news from the Pirelli Stadium after Cambridge had scored a late equaliser.

It wasn’t to be for the hosts, however, as news filtered through of an injury time winner for Burton, in a result that sent Cambridge down and leaves Burton close to confirming survival.

For Northampton, the Cobblers were left to lick their wounds as they left Sussex a beaten side.

Northampton’s season ends next Saturday when they host Wigan Athletic in the final match of the campaign.