Lewis Alessandra scored his fourth goal in seven games as Plymouth beat Northampton to move into seventh place.
James Gray narrowly missed putting the visitors in front when he was unable to tap Darren Carter's cross home.
Anthony O'Connor then scored for Plymouth a minute later with a powerful 18-yard strike.
Northampton pushed hard after the break but Alessandra's cool strike, as he rounded keeper Matt Duke, ensured Plymouth's victory.
Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:
"If we'd have won here today it would have capped an unbelievable week. We need to dust ourselves down.
Wilder on Northampton v Plymouth
"The spirit in our team is outstanding and the players are hurting at the moment.
"Plymouth have had to scrap to get over the line today, just like we have in recent games. It shows how tight the league is."
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019
