Martin Allen feels the sting after Bees beaten by Northampton

Goals from Sam Hoskins, the impressive Ricky Holmes and captain Marc Richards, with his 12th league goal of the campaign, sealed a 3-0 victory for Cobblers.

Barnet were never seriously in the contest and, but for an excellent display by on-loan Manchester City keeper Ian Lawlor, could have been on the end of an even heavier defeat.

Allen said: "It wasn't a very good performance and we were lucky it was only 3-0. We didn't deserve to get anything out of the game.

"Northampton were much better than us from the first minute right through to the last minute. In possession, out of possession, all over the pitch, Northampton dominated the game.

"We knew Northampton had some very good players and they were right on it today but far too many of my players were nowhere near it. And that's what you get... a 3-0 thumping,

"The only positive was the performance of our keeper who did very well and Northampton would have scored a lot more goals if it hadn't been for him.

"I feel for our supporters who made the trip up here because we were very disappointing.

"We've been putting in some very good performances recently and we've been playing well. It's our third game in a week if you want to use tiredness as an excuse but Northampton have also had to play three games in a week.

"Northampton have some outstanding players but I always want my players to stand firm and compete. They didn't do that today which was very disappointing.

"They didn't do the basic things which have got us into a good position in the table and that's something we will need to have a look at this week in training.

"We talked about getting the ball in behind Northampton as quickly as we could to our strikers in the second half but we gave away a goal too early after halftime.

"Curtis Weston had a good chance but by then it was too late, the game was already well over."

Cobblers assistant manager Alan Knill was delighted with the improved performance following the Boxing Day victory over Accrington.

He said: "We got the response we wanted. It was a much better performance.

"The week before we couldn't get on the grass and on the training ground. But this week we've managed to put some things right that we thought we didn't have last week and it was an excellent performance.

"We're delighted. To put ourselves where we put ourselves at the halfway stage of the season is a great effort from the players and everybody at the club.

"Now we're there to be shot down and today it was a really tough game because we knew all about the opposition and we had to weather certain parts. But once we got in front we felt we could exploit them and hurt them.

"I thought the crowd were absolutely outstanding. There were a few grumbles which sometimes happens when expectation rises but the players are trying their best and we've all seen it from the start of the season so we're delighted."