Northampton beaten at home by Leyton Orient in Sixfields six pointer

Northampton Town’s hopes of survival were dented after a 2-1 home defeat by fellow League One strugglers Leyton Orient.

Goals by Dom Ballard and James Morris helped the visitors win the match and climb above the Cobblers in the table, with Tom Eaves’ goal for Northampton making it 2-1 but the hosts were unable to mount a fightback.

Defeat means that Northampton remain inside the League One relegation zone. Kevin Nolan’s side sit 22nd in the third tier table with 13 games remaining, with the Cobblers currently two points from safety.

The first of three Northampton home matches in seven days would see them welcome a side that began the day below them in the table, with Orient on a run of no wins in their previous five.

Northampton had fallen into the relegation zone after a midweek defeat by promotion chasing Lincoln City, along with Wigan’s midweek win at home to Luton.

Things started badly in Northampton’s attempts to return to winning ways, however, as Favour Fawunmi was denied by a smart stop from Ross Fitzsimons inside the opening minute, before Leyton Orient went in front inside ten minutes.

Dylan Levitt’s ball forward sat kindly for Ballard, and the striker duly converted, putting a smart finish into the back of the net to put the visitors in front.

The hosts did press in their search for an equaliser, with Eaves miscuing a shot wide before Cameron McGeehan saw a few attempts blocked by visiting defenders.

But after failing to find a first half equaliser, Northampton fell 2-0 down less than 3 minutes after the restart. Ballard was able to cue the ball up for Morris, who swept the ball home to put the visitors further in front.

Northampton did get back to 2-1 in the 60th minute, as Eaves headed home from Dean Campbell’s cross.

The home side did apply pressure in their quest to equalise, with their best opportunity seeing away keeper Will Norris deny Sam Hoskins.

But Northampton couldn’t find an equaliser, and although Fitzsimons stopped Leyton Orient making it 3 with a good save to thwart Ollie O’Neal, it was still defeat for the home side.

Northampton face a pair of big home games in their attempts to get points on the board, as they welcome former Cobblers boss Jon Brady and the league’s bottom side Port Vale on Tuesday night, before they welcome Peterborough United to Sixfields for a Nene Valley Derby next weekend.