Northampton Town: Lee Harper, Paul Reid, Ian Sampson, Ashley Westwood, Josh Low (Des Lyttle 68), Rob Ullathorne, Paul Trollope, Chris Hargreaves, John Taylor, Marc Richards (Derek Asamoah 65), Martin Smith (Eric Sabin 83). Subs not used: Chris Willmott, Tom Youngs

Goal: Paul Trollope 48

Both Northampton Town and Lincoln City could yet meet again in the Division Three play-offs after a draw left both sides feeling disappointed. 7160 turned up for a fierce clash between two top-half sides, and it was no surprise when the teams ended level – nine of the previous fourteen clashes have now ended in that manner in the recent head-to-head.

The Cobblers took the lead two minutes before the break when Paul Trollope volleyed home left-footed, but the Red Imps had the chance to equalise when Ben Sedgemore smashed against the crossbar ten minutes into the second half; Town custodian Lee Harper denying Marcus Richardson’s header. Martin Smith’s 75th-minute free-kick then also rebounded off of the woodwork, with Derek Asamoah’s follow-up being pushed over the bar by Alan Marriott.

Northampton manager Colin Calderwood pinpointed that moment as the time when his side failed to make their advantage count, and his team were made to pay by Simon Yeo’s seventh late leveller of the season. The super-sub, brought on with 33 minutes remaining, netted with just six left on the clock when he connected with Kevin Ellison’s cross at the near post.

Saturday 10th April 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three

Hull City 2 Northampton Town 3

Northampton Town: Lee Harper, Des Lyttle, Chris Willmott (Ashley Westwood 30), Paul Reid, Ian Sampson, Rob Ullathorne, Paul Trollope, Chris Hargreaves, Martin Smith, Marc Richards (John Taylor 62), Eric Sabin (Derek Asamoah 62). Subs not used: Glyn Thompson, Josh Low.

Goals: Marc Richards 2, Eric Sabin 20, 31

Hull City put up a fight before finally giving up on reclaiming Northampton’s two-goal half-time advantage. The Cobblers took the lead in an explosive start as Mark Joseph was punished for a mistake with Marc Richards firing home an unstoppable twenty-yard drive.

The Tigers clawed their way back into the game five minutes later, though, when Northern Ireland international Stuart Elliott retorted with a cheeky chip of his own to beat Lee Harper from the edge of the penalty area; the Town shotstopper having strayed off of his line.

That was the catalyst for the visiting side to go on the rampage again, and despite Harper making a fine stop from Burgess, Eric Sabin fortuitously handed the Cobblers the lead when the ball ricocheted off of his legs and into the net midway through the first half. Sabin’s second was added ten minutes later as he went on a mazy, and unchallenged run, before powering home from eighteen yards.

After the interval the hosts could have got back into the match when Damien Delaney fired over with Harper out of position, and after Sabin’s substitution the visitors went into their shell. Andy Dawson’s fantastic left-footed free-kick from just outside the box brought the deficit down to one with twenty minutes left, but after Jon Taylor had wasted a good opportunity on the break for Town, it was heartbreak for City as Stuart Green’s effort came back off of the left-hand upright.

Saturday 3rd April 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three

Northampton Town 2 Oxford United 1

Northampton Town: Lee Harper, Des Lyttle, Paul Reid, Ian Sampson, Rob Ullathorne, Josh Low (Chris Willmott 86), Paul Trollope, Chris Hargreaves, Martin Smith (Ryan Amoo 89), Marc Richards (Eric Sabin 75), John Taylor. Subs not used: Luke Chambers, Derek Asamoah.

Goals: Marc Richards 63, Paul Trollope 73

Town came back from behind to record a well-deserved and vital victory over play-off rivals Oxford United at Sixfields. Marc Richards smashed against the woodwork from a Josh Low cross in the eighth minute, but as soon as Harper was called into action to block out Chris Hackett’s effort, it was all Oxford.

The U’s took the lead after 22 minutes when Steve Basham deftly headed home to shock the Sixfields’ support. Oxford ruled the rest of the opening period, but could not secure a second goal, and Basham was the worst victim, missing a straightforward header from close range.

That was the impetus that Northampton required, and record signing Low provided the cross for Marc Richards to knock home simply to equalise. Ten minutes later, with just 17 remaining, Low again supplied a simple square pass which Paul Trollope was able to tap home easily and make sure of an important win.

Saturday 27th March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three

Macclesfield Town 0 Northampton Town 4

Northampton Town: Lee Harper, Luke Chambers, Paul Reid, Ian Sampson, Des Lyttle, Paul Trollope (Josh Low 62), Chris Hargreaves, Rob Ullathorne, Marc Richards, Eric Sabin (John Taylor 52), Martin Smith (Tom Youngs 74). Subs not used: Glyn Thompson, Derek Asamoah.

Goals: Marc Richards 18, 23, 26, 39

Marc Richards netted four goals inside twenty-one minutes to hand Northampton an easy 4-0 win over drop-dreaders Macclesfield Town. Before this fixture, front man Richards had netted just one goal all season, but he quickly put that to rights with an 18^th-minute opener, Eric Sabin’s low cross being poked home underneath goalkeeper Steve Wilson.

Wilson then misjudged Lee Harper’s long punt forwards, and Richards nipped in on 23 minutes to double the lead. That was stretched to three when former Norwich City utility man Robert Ullathorne set up Richards to smash home off of the inside of the post to complete his hat-trick.

And it was four when Steve Payne’s error left Richards all alone in the box, and the young striker coolly rounded Wilson to tuck home. Before the rout had started Harper had kept his side level with a fine block from Paul Harsley’s drive and then saving a Payne volley just prior to the opener. Jonathan Parkin and Matthew Tipton both blazed wide in the second half as Macclesfield failed to gain even a consolation strike.

Tuesday 16th March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three

Carlisle United 1 Northampton Town 1

Northampton Town: Lee Harper, Luke Chambers, Ian Sampson, Chris Willmott, Des Lyttle, Martin Reeves (Josh Low 63), Paul Trollope, Rob Ullathorne, Eric Sabin (Steve Morison 76), Martin Smith, Marc Richards (Derek Asamoah 68). Subs not used: Glyn Thompson, Chris Carruthers.

Goal: Paul Trollope 83

A dull match ended all square as Paul Trollope handed the Cobblers an equaliser just seconds after Craig Farrell had handed Carlisle United the lead at Brunton Park. Marc Richards was the early threat, forcing Matty Glennon into a decent stop, but for the most part Town put five men across the centre of the park and soaked up their hosts’ pressure.

The Cumbrians had the majority of possession throughout the match but were unable to register a series of shots on goal. Then, with ten minutes to go, they wasted the perfect chance – substitute Kelvin Langmead’s low cross fired wide by Farrell unmarked at the far post and less than ten yards out.

But just two minutes on they were in front. Lee Andrews supplied a deep cross that Farrell decided to make amends from, homing in to rifle home an important strike for the strugglers. The advantage lasted 55 seconds, and the Brunton Park faithful were still celebrating when a loose ball on the edge of the box was hooked in by Trollope.

Summary – Shrimpers vs. Cobblers last five matches

Southend United

W3-2 (home; Darlington; League Division Three; Mark Bentley, Leon Constantine [p], Mark Gower)

L0-1 (away; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three)

W4-2 (home; Scunthorpe United; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2, Drewe Broughton, Leon Cort)

W2-1 (away; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2 [1p])

L0-2 (neutral; Blackpool; LDV Vans Trophy final)

(Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 2, Scored 9, Conceded 8)

Northampton Town

D1-1 (home; Lincoln City; League Division Three; Paul Trollope)

W3-2 (away; Hull City; League Division Three; Marc Richards, Eric Sabin 2)

W2-1 (home; Oxford United; League Division Three; Marc Richards, Paul Trollope)

W4-0 (away; Macclesfield Town; League Division Three; Marc Richards 4)

D1-1 (away; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Paul Trollope)

(Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 0, Scored 11, Conceded 5)

Summary – Shrimpers away form vs. Cobblers home form

Southend United

L0-1 (Huddersfield Town; League Division Three)

W2-1 (Carlisle United; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2 [1p])

D2-2 (Lincoln City; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2)

D1-1 (Bristol Rovers; League Division Three; Mark Gower)

W2-0 (Boston United; League Division Three; Mark Bentley, Neil Jenkins)

(Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 7, Conceded 5)

Northampton Town

D1-1 (Lincoln City; League Division Three; Paul Trollope)

W2-1 (Oxford United; League Division Three; Marc Richards, Paul Trollope)

W2-0 (Boston United; League Division Three; Steve Morison, Ian Sampson)

W1-0 (Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Josh Low)

W3-1 (Rochdale; League Division Three; Chris Hargreaves, Paul Reid, Magno Silva Vieira)

(Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 0, Scored 9, Conceded 3)