A solitary goal from John Marquis earned relegation-threatened Northampton three precious points in their 1-0 win over Burton.

The Cobblers’ first home win in six games leaves them level on goal difference with third-bottom Wycombe ahead of the two sides meeting on Friday.

Burton, though, are now six points off the top three and are likely to have to settle for the play-offs. Northampton created a couple of early chances, Alan Connell flashed a shot wide and Emile Sinclair wasted a good opportunity when he missed the target from a promising position.

At the other end Jimmy Phillips fired a low drive past the upright from the edge of the box and Callum McFadzean saw his deflected effort comfortably dealt with by Matt Duke.

Adam McGurk fired over just before the break and Connell shot straight at Rob Lainton. But Cobblers broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when a low drive from Marquis beat Lainton at his near post.

Duke preserved Northampton’s advantage in first half stoppage-time when he denied Shane Cansdell-Sherriff from close range.

The injured Lainton was replaced by Dean Lyness for the second half and Burton went close to an equaliser when McGurk’s effort clipped the top of the bar.

But it was Northampton who looked the more likely to add to the scoring. Chris Hackett blazed over and a fine save from Lyness denied Marquis a second in the closing stages.