Northampton Town's winless run stretched to three games after a 1-0 home defeat to Rotherham United on Saturday. Paul Mullin's 73rd-minute penalty was the only goal of a tight contest at Sixfields Stadium, where 5,771 spectators saw the visitors extend their remarkable league dominance over the Cobblers to eight consecutive victories.
Mullin, who joined Rotherham on a short-term deal until January earlier in the week, kept his cool from twelve yards after Max Dyche was adjudged to have bundled him over in the box. The striker fired his effort high into the roof of the net for his third goal of the season. "He made no mistake to fire high, wide and into the roof of the Northampton net with a classy strike giving Jeacock no chance in the home goal," Mullin said afterwards.
The first half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances. Northampton's Jon Guthrie needed early treatment after a lengthy stoppage, while at the other end Fabio Tavares saw a shot saved by home goalkeeper Louie Jeacock. The Cobblers' best openings fell to Owen Dale, who fired over from outside the box, and Max Dyche, whose headed effort from a Tyrese Fornah free-kick was comfortably saved by Rotherham's Sam Eyestone.
Rotherham grew into the game as the half wore on. Brandon Cover had a shot deflected before Jeacock saved, and Josh Austerfield forced another stop from the Northampton keeper. The Millers' head coach Alex Bruce, serving a one-match touchline ban after being sent off against Bristol Rovers, made one change to his starting lineup from the previous match against Salford City.
The decisive moment arrived with seventeen minutes remaining. Dyche's challenge on Mullin was penalised, and the striker stepped up to convert. The goal deflated Northampton, who had battled hard for over an hour. Rotherham almost doubled their lead soon after when Austerfield burst into the box and fired into the side netting with his weaker right foot.
The defeat leaves Northampton Town 22nd in the League Two table with just six points from their opening seven matches. They have now lost their last two league games, following a 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town the previous weekend. Their recent form reads two losses, two draws and one win from the last five outings.
Manager Jon Brady made several changes in search of an equaliser, introducing Sam Hoskins, Kieron Evans, Harvey Briggs and Kion Warhurst from the bench, but his side could not find a way past a resolute Rotherham defence. The visitors' back line, marshalled by the impressive Ewan Otoo, stood firm under late pressure.
Northampton must now regroup quickly ahead of a key trip to face Port Vale next Saturday. Vale currently sit 23rd, one place below the Cobblers, making it a significant early-season six-pointer. The squad will need to find more attacking potency, having scored only three goals in the league so far this campaign while conceding six. A look at the current standings shows the importance of picking up points in such tight fixtures.
Read the full report at Rotherham United FC
