Rovers' reverse at Portsmouth sees Pompey all but safe ahead of their trip to Sixfields on Easter Monday.
Northampton, level on points with the Bristol club, will hope that means a relaxed attitude from their next opponents although the sacking of Richie Barker and appointment of Andy Awford as caretaker has sparked a winning run of form.
Hartlepool, meanwhile, were well beaten at Burton Albion for a sixth successive defeat and now lie just two points above the Cobblers in the League Two table.