MATCH REACTION: Cobblers lack characters, but they didn't deserve to lose

Posh players celebrate as Will Hoskins is distraught. Photo: Sharon Lucey.

Cobblers were sunk by Chris Forrester’s 92nd-minute header and that caused Page to let fly in frustration after the game.

Page said: “I’m always looking at my keeper and defenders to deal with a cross when it comes into the box. They didn’t deal with it and the smallest player on the pitch has scored.

“We lost in the third minute of stoppage-time last week and in the second minute of stoppage-time today. When a cross comes in that late you have to take responsibility and win it.

Cobblers boss Rob Page during the derby with Posh. Photo: Sharon Lucey.

“I can influence decisions before games, but you have to see a game out and I need characters on the pitch to do that. I’m not quite sure I’ve got enough of those at the moment.

“The players are hurting and so am I. We have just lost a derby game when I can’t remember the opposition creating any chances apart from the goal.

“To hit the bar late on and then lose it in stoppage-time is a bitter pill to swallow. Our decision-making was not good going forward though. We created enough chances and I felt we had a couple of good penalty shouts in the first half.

“But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves, it’s the supporters I feel sorry for as we didn’t deserve to lose that game.”

Northampton have slipped to 12th in the League One table, seven places and five points behind Posh, ahead of a tough game at fourth-placed Bradford City on Tuesday (November 22).