Wanderers fell to a first defeat since the opening day of the season at Sfixfields on Saturday afternoon.
Two quick fire second half goals were enough to secure all three points for Kevin Nolan’s side. Cameron McGeehan and Sam Hoskins were on the scoresheet for the Cobblers to condemn Wanderers to only their second defeat of the campaign.
Steven Schumacher opted for one change from last week’s 4-1 win over Athletic with Josh Sheehan replacing Ethan Erhahon in the heart of midfield.
Wanderers started the game with the mainstay of possession against a stubborn Northampton team. Marcus Forss was the first to test Fitzsimons in the Cobblers goal with an effort on target from close range which tested the quick reactions of the ‘Keeper.
Mason Burstow had the first clear-cut chance of the game when he latched onto a short back pack but could only drag his shot wide when one-on-one with Fitzsimons.
The hosts grew into the game and were putting a series of balls into the Wanderers box but Chris Forino was there first to head clear on a number of occasions.
Thierry Gale was a threat from the left and it opened up for him shortly before half time but his curling effort from the edge of the box landed a few yards wide of the far post.
On the stroke of the interval, Campbell created space 20 yards out and whistled a low shot past the far post to give Wanderers a scare before the break.
Wanderers started on the front foot in the second period and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Forss diverted a cross back towards the right hand corner but Fitzsimons somehow reacted to turn it around the post.
Amario Cozier-Duberry looked to create one of his trademark magical moments but his dipping effort from 25 yards landed just over the bar.
As the game headed into the final 20 minutes, Northampton’s belief was starting to grow before Cameron McGeehan headed the home side in front.
Campbell’s deep cross was met by the midfielder at the far post who rose above Conway and planted a header into the bottom corner past Sharman-Lowe who couldn’t keep it out despite getting a hand to it.
In the blink of an eye, Northampton had doubled their lead. Amario Cozier-Dubbery committed a foul inside the box when attempting a clearance and up stepped Sam Hoskins from the spot.
Sharman-Lowe was actually equal to the spot kick but the rebound fell back to the feet of Hoskins who finished into the roof of the net.
Wanderers huffed and puffed in the later stages with Sam Dalby seeing a header saved but the afternoon and three points belonged to the home side.
Steven Schumacher’s men will look to bounce back on home soil against Peterborough United next Saturday.
Northampton Town: Fitzsimons, McCarrthy, Forbes, Thorniley, Hoskins, Campbell, Taylor, Wormleighton (Guiness-Walker 85', McGeehan, Wheatley (Vale 34'), Fornah (Swyer 76')
Unused subs: Willis, Avery, Evans
Wanderers: Sharman-Lowe, Dacres-Cogley (Morley 63'), Forino, Johnston, Conway, Sheehan (Erhahon 73'), Simons, Gale (Cissoko 73'), Forss (Dalby), Cozier-Duberry, Burstow
Unused subs: Miller, Toal