Barrow vs Northampton Town. Sky Bet League Two.
SO Legal StadiumAttendance4,603.
Saturday 7 May 2022 19:28, UK
Northampton saw the final automatic promotion place from League Two snatched from their grasp in agonising fashion despite a 3-1 win at Barrow.
The Cobblers relinquished third place to Bristol Rovers on goals scored on the final day of the season as Joey Barton's side thumped Scunthorpe 7-0.
Instead, Northampton were left to face the play-offs as they bid to return to the third tier after a 12-month absence and will have to do without goalkeeper Liam Roberts for the first leg of their semi-final after a late red card for handling outside his area.
Town's players and management stayed out on the pitch after the final whistle, waiting for news of the result from the Memorial Stadium which confirmed their fate.
It was a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the visitors, who, having started the day with a five better goal difference than Rovers, raced into a 3-0 lead.
Sam Hoskins fired in his 13th and 14th goals of the season, either side of defender Fraser Horsfall's header, as the visitors were 3-0 up in just 21 minutes.
But Barrow hit back through Josh Kay's header a minute before the break.
The Cumbrians continued to dominate in the second half as Josh Gordon headed against the crossbar and had a great penalty shout turned down for possible handball against Hoskins.
Only when news filtered through of the Rovers score did Town begin to look urgent.
Hoskins went close, but their afternoon was summed up by Roberts' sending-off.
League Two play-off semi-final first legs
Saturday May 14, 7.45pm - Mansfield vs Northampton
Sunday May 15, 12pm - Swindon vs Port Vale
League Two play-off semi-final second legs
Wednesday May 18, 7.45pm - Northampton vs Mansfield
Thursday May 19, 7.45pm - Port Vale vs Swindon
Play-off final
Saturday, May 28 2022
