Jon Brady: Northampton Town boss rues three 'gift goals' in defeat by Portsmouth
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Northampton had defender Jon Guthrie back on the pitch in a league game for the first time in two months
Northampton Town boss Jon Brady says his team must get back to "doing the basics right" after their winning run in the league was ended by Portsmouth.
The Cobblers had won their three previous League One games, but went down 3-0 to the leaders at Sixfields.
Brady's side remain 13th in the table, however, following last season's promotion, with a seven-point cushion above the relegation places.
"We gifted them all three goals," he told BBC Radio Northampton.
"Our intention wasn't to sit back and sit deep, we tried to have a go, but they are a very good side, they're at the top of the division for a reason and haven't lost away since March.
"We had a go but unfortunately if you don't do the basics right and give away soft goals, then you give yourselves a lot of trouble."
Brady continued: "Over the last three games we gave ourselves and the fans a lot of optimism, and a lot of belief that we could have a real strong battle against them.
"I'm disappointed because I feel we could go toe-to-toe better with them, but overall, we have bigger fights to fight."
Brady was, though, delighted to see defender Jon Guthrie play the second half, his first match action - apart from a half-hour run-out against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy - since a hamstring injury in early October.
"He looked good, he moved well. We've really sat on our hands with it and tried to play the long game, built his minutes, so all good," he said.
Northampton are next in action at home to fourth-from-bottom Fleetwood Town on Saturday.