Match ends, Portsmouth 1, Northampton Town 2.
PortsmouthPortsmouth1NorthamptonNorthampton Town2
League Two champions Northampton Town won their final game of the season against play-off contenders Portsmouth.
The Cobblers took the lead when Nicky Adams crossed in for Jack Whatmough to put the ball into his own net.
The hosts had Kieron Freeman sent off for a challenge on John Joe O'Toole but restored parity a minute later when Kal Naismith fired from 25 yards.
James Collins sealed victory for the visitors when he tucked home David Buchanan's cross from close range.
Because the result meant they finished sixth, Portsmouth will now play Plymouth in the play-offs.
Paul Cook's side will play at Fratton Park on 12 May in the first leg before the reverse fixture at Plymouth's Home Park on 15 May.
Northampton's victory means they have gone 24 games unbeaten in League Two, as they finish the season 13 points clear at the top of the League Two table.
Portsmouth assistant manager Leam Richardson told BBC Radio Solent: "It is a 2-1 defeat, it is not in good taste.
"Obviously going down to 10 men so early in the second half doesn't help. With 11 men on the pitch we would have expected a different result.
"There were two good teams on the pitch, we are playing against the champions so you have got to give them every credit."
Line-ups
Portsmouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Murphy
- 2DaviesBooked at 38mins
- 16WhatmoughSubstituted forWilkinsonat 69'minutes
- 15Barton
- 38HaunstrupSubstituted forTollittat 77'minutes
- 33CloseSubstituted forMayat 60'minutes
- 17FreemanBooked at 47mins
- 26EvansBooked at 75mins
- 11Roberts
- 14Naismith
- 7McGurkBooked at 69mins
Substitutes
- 1Jones
- 3Stevens
- 8Doyle
- 18Tollitt
- 25Wilkinson
- 30May
- 32Oxlade-Chamberlain
Northampton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Smith
- 12Lelan
- 5Diamond
- 22Prosser
- 16Buchanan
- 21O'Toole
- 23Rose
- 7D'AthBooked at 45minsSubstituted forHoskinsat 80'minutes
- 10AdamsSubstituted forPotterat 62'minutes
- 11Holmes
- 27MarquisSubstituted forCollinsat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Taylor
- 6Cresswell
- 8Byrom
- 14Hoskins
- 15Potter
- 19Collins
- 26Clarke
- Referee:
- Mark Brown
- Attendance:
- 18,746
Match Stats
Home TeamPortsmouthAway TeamNorthampton
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away4
- Corners
- Home0
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portsmouth 1, Northampton Town 2.
Post update
Alfie Potter (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Gareth Evans (Portsmouth).
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Josh Lelan (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ben Tollitt (Portsmouth).
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Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Conor Wilkinson (Portsmouth).
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Attempt saved. Kal Naismith (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Attempt saved. Ricky Holmes (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!
Goal! Portsmouth 1, Northampton Town 2. James Collins (Northampton Town) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Buchanan.
Substitution
Substitution, Northampton Town. Sam Hoskins replaces Lawson D'Ath.
Substitution
Substitution, Portsmouth. Ben Tollitt replaces Brandon Haunstrup.
Booking
Gareth Evans (Portsmouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Alfie Potter (Northampton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Gareth Evans (Portsmouth).
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Zander Diamond (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Conor Wilkinson (Portsmouth).
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Josh Lelan (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Conor Wilkinson (Portsmouth).
