Match ends, Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 3.
StevenageStevenage2NorthamptonNorthampton Town3
League Two leaders Northampton Town came back from 2-0 down to defeat 10-man Stevenage.
Luke Wilkinson met two Dean Parrett corners to score his first two goals for Stevenage, putting them 2-0 up.
A James Collins header and John-Joe O'Toole's stabbed finish either side of half-time brought the Cobblers level.
Fraser Franks was sent off for pulling down Sam Hoskins before Ricky Holmes' sensational 95th-minute strike from the edge of the box won it for Northampton.
Northampton are 17 points clear of fourth-placed Plymouth with just nine games left to play, while Stevenage are just seven points clear of the drop zone in 22nd position.
The goal ended a turbulent week for striker Collins, who apologised after being photographed appearing to relieve himself into a glass on a racecourse balcony at the Cheltenham Festival.
Stevenage caretaker manager Darren Sarll told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I think you always get what you deserve unfortunately in football. If you don't defend set-pieces properly, you don't win games.
"The first one was the absolute killer in the game, at the time it was.
"I've said already inexperienced players make inexperienced errors. They've not meant, they're not, they're just inexperienced."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Jones
- 18Parrett
- 2Wilkinson
- 5FranksBooked at 79mins
- 23Okimo
- 34Gorman
- 3CoxBooked at 13mins
- 15Tonge
- 33KennedySubstituted forJohnsonat 80'minutes
- 9LuerSubstituted forConlonat 90+4'minutes
- 13Harrison
Substitutes
- 6Hedges
- 7Whelpdale
- 11Pett
- 14Marriott
- 16Day
- 27Johnson
- 32Conlon
Northampton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Smith
- 2Moloney
- 5Diamond
- 19Collins
- 16Buchanan
- 11HolmesBooked at 90minsSubstituted forTaylorat 90+7'minutes
- 8ByromBooked at 63mins
- 21O'TooleBooked at 28mins
- 10AdamsSubstituted forD'Athat 61'minutes
- 22Prosser
- 27MarquisSubstituted forHoskinsat 52'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Taylor
- 7D'Ath
- 14Hoskins
- 18McDonald
- 20Martin
- 23Rose
- 26Clarke
- Referee:
- David Webb
- Attendance:
- 3,902
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamNorthampton
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home8
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 3.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Jason Taylor replaces Ricky Holmes.
Booking
Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! Stevenage 2, Northampton Town 3. Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Brendon Moloney.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Tom Conlon replaces Greg Luer.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Collins (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Byron Harrison (Stevenage) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Adam Smith.
Post update
Attempt saved. Greg Luer (Stevenage) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Attempt saved. Greg Luer (Stevenage) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Ryan Johnson replaces Ben Kennedy.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
Dismissal
Fraser Franks (Stevenage) is shown the red card.
Post update
Sam Hoskins (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Fraser Franks (Stevenage).
Post update
Foul by John-Joe O'Toole (Northampton Town).
Post update
(Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Fraser Franks.
