Northampton's winning run ended by defeat at Wycombe Wanderers

Northampton Town’s winning run was ended after a 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

The Cobblers arrived in the Chilterns on the back of 3 consecutive wins, but had no answer to a Wycombe side who tasted victory in their first game under new boss Michael Duff.

Goals by Daniel Harvie and George Abbott won the match for the Chairboys, as Kevin Nolan’s side suffered a first defeat in four outings.

Having racked up wins in recent weeks against Exeter, Leyton Orient and Blackpool, the Cobblers had arrived at Adams Park hopeful of further success against the slow-starting side from south Buckinghamshire.

Wycombe did prepare for the contest with a change, with the club sacking Mike Dodds in midweek after a slow start for a side that finished in the play-offs last season, while Duff was confirmed as his replacement two days earlier.

Perhaps keen to impress their new boss, Wycombe began on the front-foot. Lee Burge was forced into a fine save to deny Ewan Henderson, while Fred Onyedinma headed wide at the follow-up corner.

The home side took the lead in the 17th minute. Luke Leahy was given space to pick a pass, and the midfielder found full-back Harvie’s overlapping run. The Scotsman duly threaded a shot past Burge to put the home side in front.

Northampton had a few opportunities after the break, with Ethan Wheatley heading wide before Max Dyche also saw an effort just creep past the target.

But the home side would make it 2-0 with just under 20 minutes remaining. Abbott picked up Leahy’s pass and the defender did the rest, evading 3 defenders before beating Burge with a low shot.

Wycombe missed further chances to make it 3-0, with Sam Hoskins blocking one on the line and a further attempt striking the crossbar.

But the home side had made their point, while it was defeat for the Cobblers.

Northampton’s first opportunity to return to winning ways comes in an EFL Trophy match against Chelsea’s under-21 side in midweek, before their next league assignment sees them welcome Nolan’s former club Bolton to Sixfields next Saturday.