Northampton grab first league win of 2026 after seeing off Stevenage

Northampton Town were victorious in League One for the first time in ten matches after a 3-1 home win over Stevenage.

Goals by Michael Forbes, Tom Eaves and Sam Hoskins saw Northampton win a league game for the first time since December 19th, as Kevin Nolan’s side registered three points in their fight to stay in League One.

Stevenage had seen Jamie Reid cancel out Forbes’ opener, but the two goals helped Northampton to a big result that sees Kevin Nolan’s side climb out of the relegation zone. In a tight battle to stay in the third tier, the Cobblers now sit 19th, one point above the bottom four but in a scenario where just two points separate 17th place Blackpool from 23rd place Rotherham.

Having ended a run of four straight losses with a midweek draw at Barnsley, Northampton had arrived back at home hoping to get three points on the board against a play-off chasing Stevenage side managed by one-time Northampton player Alex Revell. They nearly fell behind early on, however, as Reid missed the target from close range.

An opening goal would fall for Northampton just before the half-hour mark. From a short corner, Terry Taylor’s ball found Forbes, who glanced the ball home to give the Cobblers the lead.

Ten minutes after falling behind, Stevenage equalised. Harvey White’s pass released Reid, who duly advanced to score.

It looked like the two sides would enter the break level, until another twist saw Northampton re-take the lead in first half stoppage time. Former Cobbler Charlie Goode was deemed to have fouled Cameron McGeehan in the box, giving the hosts a penalty.

Eaves’ spot-kick was saved by Stevenage keeper Filip Marschall, but the ball fell back for Eaves to score the rebound and put Northampton back in front.

Stevenage would have a goal disallowed for handball, before both sides had chances for further goals. Marschall denied Kamarai Swyer, before Ross Fitzsimons in the Northampton goal denied Dan Sweeney and the home keeper also tipped a Reid effort onto the post. A major goalmouth scramble also somehow ended up with Stevenage failing to score.

The game’s fourth goal would eventually be scored by a Cobblers man, as Hoskins headed home Michael Jacobs’ cross in the final minute of the 90. The strike was Hoskins’ first league goal since October.

That proved to be the end of the road for Stevenage’s comeback bid, as Northampton took a vital three points towards their survival bid. They now have the diversion of an EFL Trophy tie when they play AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, before returning to league action next weekend when they make the trip to Devon to face Exeter City.