These sides drew both matches 1-1 when they last squared-up in the 2004-05 season, so perhaps this was a predictable outcome.
The Cobblers held the whip hand in the first half when they grabbed the lead through full-back Jason Crowe, but the Glovers levelled 22 minutes from time through their on-loan striker Marcus Stewart.
The opener arrived in the 32nd minute when a deft touch by Jerome Watt - making his home debut - chipped the ball into the box, and although Steve Mildenhall made a brilliant save from Ian Taylor's shot, the rebound fell to Crowe who lashed home a volley from a tight angle.
At the other end, home goalkeeper Mark Bunn had already performed heroics to beat away a stinging eighth minute shot from Wayne Gray when the former Southend man had connected sweetly to a nod down from a Nathan Jones free-kick.
Northampton could have added to their lead before the break with Crowe cutting in and firing wide just after his goal, while neat approach work by Taylor allowed Watt a clear run on goal only for the youngster to chip over the crossbar.
Two hamstring injuries to Watt and Joe Burnell didn't help Northampton's cause and Yeovil's switch to a 4-4-2 system saw them gradually get on top, although it was the pace of substitute Ishmael Welsh which unlocked the home defence for the equaliser.
His cross ended with Stewart looping his header beyond Bunn into the top corner.
Yeovil looked the likelier winners but they failed to carve out the chances which their approach work deserved, although Welsh delivered a dangerous late cross which was only kept out by the outstretched leg of Chris Doig before substitute Daniel Webb fired over when well placed just inside the box.
At the other end, Mildenhall needed to be alert in injury-time when he tipped over a cross-cum-shot from Ryan Gilligan.
Yeovil's record of just one booking this season was further enhanced on a night when referee Bates kept his cards in his pocket.