Northampton's slump continues after defeat at Rotherham

Northampton Town’s troubled start to 2026 continued as they lost 2-1 at relegation rivals Rotherham United.

The Cobblers had taken the lead against the similarly out-of-form Millers through former Rotherham man Tom Eaves in the first half.

But second half strikes by Harry Gray and Emmanuel Adegboyega turned the contest on its head, putting Rotherham on course for a first success since beating Lincoln in early November and condemning Northampton to a 7th game in a row without a win.

Defeat in South Yorkshire sees the Cobblers fall to 22nd in the League Two table, with Kevin Nolan’s side a point from safety.

Having lost in another relegation six-pointer at Blackpool in their previous outing, Nolan’s side faced another big away day against a side also at the bottom end of the third tier table. They faced the out-of-form Millers, who had failed to win any of their previous 11 League One matches.

A new face in the Cobblers’ squad was 17-year-old defender Jake Evans, who has joined the club on loan from Leicester.

Northampton had seen a few early opportunities fall their way, with Eaves denied by home goalkeeper Cameron Dawson before Conor McCarthy’s header from a Terry Taylor free-kick just bounced wide.

An opening goal would come the Cobblers’ way after 26 minutes. Sam Hoskins’ ball into the box was flicked on by Jon Guthrie to Eaves, who duly finished to put the away side in front.

The Cobblers would have chances for a second, as Dean Campbell saw one effort hit the bar and another deflect just off target.

But with 58 minutes on the clock, Rotherham got back on level terms, as Gray headed in from Joe Powell’s corner.

This saw the Millers begin to press, with Sam Nombe firing off target at a counter before Cobblers keeper Ross Fitzsimons denied Joe Rafferty.

Matt Hamshaw’s hosts took the lead with six minutes of the 90 to play, as debutant defender Adegboyega headed in Powell’s free-kick.

Northampton had no answer to this, sliding to a defeat that continues a slump that has seen them fail to win a game so far in 2026. The Cobblers will have another crack at ending this streak at the weekend, when they host Reading on Saturday.