The views of the Cobblers boss
Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd reflecting on the 3-0 defeat at Exeter.
"I think we got what we deserved today and you have to give credit to the opposition," he said.
"I thought the first goal was a foul on Lee Nicholls but I've got no complaints about the other two goals.
"We didn't deal with Exeter's threat from set plays and that is very unlike us.
"We had a go and we had three cleared off the line but it just wasn't our day.
"As good as we've been as a team and as individuals too many today were off the pace.
"We didn't put Exeter under enough pressure and we didn't play the conditions well.
"Our game plan didn't work and we know we need to improve on that.
"You have to give the opposition credit though and I thought Jamie Cureton did very well today and he was a constant threat.
"Chris Hackett wanted to play but after chatting to the physio I just felt that he needed an extra week's rest. I could have brought him on but in the end I thought today wasn't the day for him.
"The league has tightened up today and there will be a few more twists and turns before the end of the season. We could have gone third today but we are no worse off.
"We will learn some valuable lessons from today and the last time we were beaten we went on a good run and we've got to do that again now.
"We had a great following again today and we're just sorry we couldn't give them something to cheer about on the way home."