Second-half goals from Kelvin Langmead and top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa, his 16th of the campaign coming from the penalty spot, took the Cobblers back into the play-off places after Dale midfielder Jason Kennedy cancelled out Clive Platt's first half opener
"It was a strange game and the defeat was marginal but we're on the right track and I don't want us to get derailed by the result," said hill, who is yet to taste victory in three matches since returning to the Spotland hotseat.
"There are a lot of tell-tale signs that the team is improving and sticking to the plan. There is obviously improvement needed in certain areas of the pitch but what I'm seeing is encouraging and we won't be derailed by the result.
"A lot of what we did in the game is what we're doing in training and that is pleased to see. The manner of the defeat, though, is disappointing.
"We fought hard to get back into the game and they scored immediately after our equaliser, which means we lost concentration and that is a cardinal sin.
"We need to improve on our concentration levels in and out of possession because that was a goal that should not have been conceded."
