Northampton stun West Brom on penalties to continue club-record unbeaten run
Northampton extended their club-record unbeaten run as they stunned West Brom in the EFL Cup
The Cobblers have not lost since January after knocking the Baggies out 4-3 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw at Sixfields.
Rob Page's side are now unbeaten in 26 games in all competitions after Kenji Gorre netted the key spot-kick as they repeated their 2010 heroics when they dumped out Liverpool on penalties at Anfield.
It was a deserved victory for a spirited display from the Sky Bet League One side which started when Zander Diamond gave them a first-half lead.
James McClean and Gareth McAuley hauled Albion ahead but Alex Revell's late strike sent the game into extra time before the penalty drama
The hosts took the game to a strong Baggies team, which also included Saido Berahino, James Morrison and Matty Phillips, as the visitors initially struggled.
Lewin Nyatanga headed Matt Taylor's free-kick wide after five minutes and Gorre shot over before Boaz Myhill claimed Brendan Moloney's low drive after 18 minutes.
Their bright start was in contrast to Albion who lacked invention with Phillips, McClean and Berahino failing to prise open the hosts' defence.
It took until half an hour for the Premier League side to force Adam Smith into a save when Berahino, who scored six goals for Northampton during a loan spell in 2011, saw his low effort turned wide
But the hosts took the lead nine minutes before the break when Diamond broke the deadlock
Harry Beautyman came within inches of opening the scoring when his rasping volley was headed off the line by Albion debutant Brendan Galloway, who joined on loan from Everton on Monday.
Then, from the resulting short corner, Albion switched off to allow Moloney time to cross and Diamond powered a header past Myhill
It was all Northampton deserved but they were pegged on half time thanks to a goalkeeping mistake by Smith.
McClean won the ball 25-yards out and while his shot was fierce Smith could only palm the ball into the corner to give Albion a lifeline.
The Baggies had the boost they needed and within two minutes of the re-start they were ahead
Rickie Lambert was brought down by Nyatanga 30-yards out and Phillips swung in a delicious free kick for McAuley to plant a header into the corner for his second goal in two games
Revell flashed a shot across goal in response and Berahino almost sealed the game with 15 minutes left when Smith saved his stretching volley
But Northampton levelled with nine minutes left when Revell smashed in from close range after Myhill spilled Sam Hoskins' effort.
Berahino then had the chance to win it with three minutes to go but Smith saved well when the striker was put through by Phillips
Extra time failed to separate the sides and it was left to Gorre to send Northampton through on penalties, despite John-Joe O'Toole having his effort stopped by Myhill, after Berahino missed and Smith saved Morrison's spot kick
Source : PA
Source: PA