Rochdale moved out of the relegation zone on Tuesday night with a point against play-off chasers Plymouth Argyle.
The point saw Dale climb to 19th in the League One table on goal difference, five points behind the U's.
Manager Keith Hill wants his players to embrace the last two games.
“We’ve got to focus solely on our games,” he told the Rochdale website
“You’ve got a spirit and a keenness from Northampton now, and it’s probably between three of four sides now. It’s going to go down to the wire, so you’ve got to try and keep your nerve, and what will be, will be.
“The players are fighting. They’re trying to do everything they possibly can. We’ve made up all those points to get where we are at this moment in time. After 30 games, we had 26 points, so the lads have done good since we got knocked out of the FA Cup by Tottenham, and they’ve done what I’ve asked them to do.
“We've got two games left and it’s in our hands. Embrace it, go for it, take it on!This group of players need supporting, but don’t worry, I do tell them when I feel as though they’re not being brave enough. They make mistakes, technical and tactical, I do too, but they get my support and they deserve it.
“Let’s try and do our best to six points out of the next two games!”