Caretaker manager Andy King made five changes to the starting XI for his first game in charge but whoever is Town's manager on the opening day of January will have their hands full with injury problems and a side struggling at the foot of League Two.
Izale McLeod was the latest player to sustain an injury during a hard-fought game at the Pirelli Stadium in which, as so often this season, Northampton were on the wrong side of the crucial goal.
That came from Ian Sharps on 85 minutes to maintain Burton's position towards the top of the table although King was quick to praise his side afterwards.
"There was a spirit there, the players ran themselves into the ground and that's all I can ask of them."