Northampton suffered a fourth successive League One defeat as Reading ran out 2-0 winners at Sixfields. There was little in the game for 55 minutes, but quickfire goals from Jack Marriott and Will Keane turned the tide decisively in the Royals' favour.
The win ended Reading's three-match winless run and boosted their play-off push, while Northampton's struggles deepened to leave them winless in eight league games.
A Cagey Opening With One Glaring Miss
The visitors started well and Marriott saw a couple of early efforts blocked, setting an early tone of Reading pressure without a breakthrough.