The Cobblers are now five games unbeaten and face a Mansfield side five points ahead of them in the table and having played a game more.
The Stags were beaten at home by York City in midweek and although manager Paul Cox was unhappy with the refereeing of the game he admitted that his side 'needed that little bit of guile and sophistication in the last third'.
Northampton's victory at Exeter City left the Devon club looking nervously over their shoulders, now just three points above Town and also having played a game more. That gap could be wiped out by the time Exeter face Newport County on Sunday afternoon.
Between Exeter in 22nd and Mansfield in 18th are Accrington, Wycombe Wanderers and Bury who all face away trips this weekend to sides in the top ten, at Rochdale, York City and Southend United respectively.