Northampton missed the chance to move further clear of the relegation zone as they fell to 2-0 defeat at home to Blackpool.

Goals from Ashley Fletcher, his fifth in eight games, and Niall Ennis left the Cobblers six points above the bottom four in 19th place.

Blackpool were the more dangerous side throughout the first half and they had the game’s first chance through Sonny Carey, who found space in the box but dragged his shot into the side-netting.

The visitors took a deserved lead after 20 minutes when Rob Apter beat his man on the right and delivered an excellent cross for Fletcher to nod home.

Sam Hoskins and Tyler Roberts were off target with long-range shots, but Northampton struggled to create anything meaningful before the break.

Aaron McGowan and Timothy Eyoma cleared off the line from Ennis and Fletcher at the start of the second half, but it only delayed the inevitable.

A mix-up in defence just past the hour mark allowed Ennis to race through on goal and he finished confidently in off a post to wrap up the points.