Northampton boss Kevin Nolan made no excuses after admitting his side were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Blackpool.
The Cobblers went into the game unbeaten in four but struggled to get going at Sixfields as Ashley Fletcher’s header gave Blackpool a 20th-minute lead before Niall Ennis made the points safe with an excellent finish in the second half.
Nolan’s men remain 19th in League One, six points above the bottom four with eight games to go.
“It was a tough afternoon,” said Nolan. “I’ve just said to the lads that we looked a bit flat and we didn’t seem ourselves today. But you have to give credit to the opposition as well and I thought Blackpool were really good.
“They matched us, they won more second balls and they did the right things at the right times and their decision-making was good and ours wasn’t.
“I just didn’t feel we competed as well as we have done in the last few weeks and I’m a bit disappointed about the manner of the goals we conceded.
“There are no excuses. It is what it is. They’re a good side and they’ve proven that – to lose two games in 17 in this league is a great effort. You’re going to have these days, but that’s when you need to roll your sleeves up and stay in the game.
“When you stay in the game and keep it at 1-0, you always have a chance, so it’s a learning curve for us, but they were the better side on the day and rightfully won the game.”
The win took Blackpool into the top 10 and cut the gap to the play-offs to seven points.
Seasiders boss Steve Bruce said: “Northampton are always going to ask you questions because they’re fighting for their lives and they’ve had some really good results of late.
“But, without playing that well, I thought we did enough to win the game. We never really looked in any real danger and I have to say I thought the back four and goalkeeper were immaculate.
“Not many teams play two up front these days, but Niall and Ashley are a handful at the moment because they’re both confident and they both look like they can score.
“We were disappointed after last week (a 2-1 loss to Leyton Orient) because we deserved to win that game, but you dust yourself down and go again and we’ve done enough today to pick up three points.
“I enjoy some of the stuff we play and we’re a handful for any team when we play well so long may it continue.”
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