Cobblers and Pilgrims draw blank
Northampton and Plymouth shared a goalless draw at Sixfields as both clubs continued their recent revivals and took another step towards safety.
The game always had the look of a stalemate and, although Northampton had the majority of the chances, Argyle went closest when Paul Wotton hit the woodwork in the second half.
With top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa on the bench after missing the midweek victory at Burton due to injury, the Cobblers lacked firepower. But Toni Silva missed a great chance to get them off to the perfect start when he blazed over from close range in the first minute.
Ben Tozer was just off target with a long range effort and Michael Jacobs tested goalkeeper Jake Cole with a stinging free-kick as the home side made a lively start.
Argyle gradually got into the game but there were few chances for Juvhel Tsoumou and Onismor Bhasera, although the two strikers combined just before the break with Tsoumou shooting straight at Matt Duke after cutting into the box.
After the restart Alex MacDonald did well for the Pilgrims before firing just over, while Northampton went close again when Kelvin Langmead's goalbound header from Ben Harding's corner was deflected wide of the target.
Wotton went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute when his scorching 25-yard free-kick struck the cross bar and bounced down on to the line before Duke gathered after a scramble. The final chance fell to Harding in stoppage time but Cole was equal to his fierce volley.
Source: PA
Source: PA