A solitary strike from Paul Harsley gave Northampton a narrow win over Swindon – their first victory at Sixfields since November.

Swindon squandered several first-half chances, with Lee Harper twice denying Matt Hewlett and Chris Hargreaves clearing off the line from former Cobblers striker Sam Parkin.

But Harsley produced the decisive goal when he lashed the ball home from the edge of the box following a half-cleared corner.

It then took a fine reflex save from Harper to prevent Eric Sabin from equalising shortly afterwards.

Northampton: Harper, Gill, Sampson, Reid, Frain, Johnson, Trollope, Harsley, Hargreaves, Stamp, Asamoah. Subs: Spedding, McGregor, Gabbiadini, Abbey, Lincoln.

Swindon: Griemink, Gurney, Heywood, Reeves, Duke, Robinson, Miglioranzi, Hewlett, Beswetherick, Sabin, Parkin. Subs: Ifil, Dykes, Invincibile, Farr, Taylor.

Referee: A Leake (Lancashire).