The Cobblers travelled to table topping Reading to claim a point in the fight to avoid relegation. Kevan Broadhurst played ultra-defensive with a 5-4-1 formation with Sam Parkin the loan forward.
Following a minutes silence in rememberance of the late Queen Mother, the home side took the game to their hosts. In the opening minutes the linesman made himself unpopular with the Cobblers fans, after signalling for a corners when Keith Welch appeared to keep the ball inplay following a free kick. Welch was called into action on six minutes, turning Adrian Viveash's shot around the post.
The Royals enjoyed a good spell of possession and in the 19th minute, Phil Parkinson's shot from the edge of the penalty area took a cruel deflection, but Welch was quick to react to push the ball to safety. Two minutes later, Nicky Forster shot across the face of the Cobblers' goal from the edge of the area.
Eight minutes later Welch was again on hand to parry Forstser's shot and Jamie Cureton stooped too low to head in the rebound. In the 34th minute John Salako whipped in a corner that was met by a solid header from Viveash, but his shot crashed against the crossbar and went behind to safety.
Jamie Forrester replaced Paul McGregor with 7 minutes of the half remaining, the Cobblers midfielder took a knock following a late challange from Parkinson. Moments later Cureton had the ball in the Cobblers net, but it was disallowed for a blatant handball, for which Cureton was booked for. Right on half time Jamie Forrester curled a 25 yard free kick just over the Reading crossbar.
The 2nd half began at the same pace as the first, Ian Sampson denied Cureton with a last ditch tackle inside the six yard area, but it was the Cobblers who enjoyed the most possession until the hour mark. Hughes hit the outside of the post from 20 yards. Richard Hope then denied Cureton with a stunning last ditch tackle, similar to Sampson's earlier. Cureton then fired over from ten yards with the goal begging.
With six minutes left Forrester played in James Hunt, but the Cobblers midfielder shot wide with only Whitehead to beat. In the forth minute of stoppage time, jamie Forrester almost played substitue Derek Asamoah in, but the a last ditch tackle from a Reading defender cleared the danger and the points were shared.
Editor's View
This was a massive point from the Cobblers point of view! Reading were a patient side who built well from the back but their finishing let them down. Town defended well and Broads had set his stall out for a point, which was achieved. With three games left, it still remains tight at the bottom following Bury's win at home to Brentford.
Cobblers Man of the Match
Chris Hargreaves - What a weekend for the Cobblers midfielder, two brilliant performances in three days.
Ref Watch
Mr Jordan was pretty good
Ground
The Madejski is an impressive ground! A crowd of around 16500 created a good atmosphere throughout the match. £15 to get in wasn't too bad (£13 if you buy in advance).
Northampton drew in the match at Madejski Stadium. Review the information and discuss it on the messageboard.
Following a minutes silence in rememberance of the late Queen Mother, the home side took the game to their hosts. In the opening minutes the linesman made himself unpopular with the Cobblers fans, after signalling for a corners when Keith Welch appeared to keep the ball inplay following a free kick. Welch was called into action on six minutes, turning Adrian Viveash's shot around the post.
The Royals enjoyed a good spell of possession and in the 19th minute, Phil Parkinson's shot from the edge of the penalty area took a cruel deflection, but Welch was quick to react to push the ball to safety. Two minutes later, Nicky Forster shot across the face of the Cobblers' goal from the edge of the area.
Eight minutes later Welch was again on hand to parry Forstser's shot and Jamie Cureton stooped too low to head in the rebound. In the 34th minute John Salako whipped in a corner that was met by a solid header from Viveash, but his shot crashed against the crossbar and went behind to safety.
Jamie Forrester replaced Paul McGregor with 7 minutes of the half remaining, the Cobblers midfielder took a knock following a late challange from Parkinson. Moments later Cureton had the ball in the Cobblers net, but it was disallowed for a blatant handball, for which Cureton was booked for. Right on half time Jamie Forrester curled a 25 yard free kick just over the Reading crossbar.
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The 2nd half began at the same pace as the first, Ian Sampson denied Cureton with a last ditch tackle inside the six yard area, but it was the Cobblers who enjoyed the most possession until the hour mark. Hughes hit the outside of the post from 20 yards. Richard Hope then denied Cureton with a stunning last ditch tackle, similar to Sampson's earlier. Cureton then fired over from ten yards with the goal begging.
With six minutes left Forrester played in James Hunt, but the Cobblers midfielder shot wide with only Whitehead to beat. In the forth minute of stoppage time, jamie Forrester almost played substitue Derek Asamoah in, but the a last ditch tackle from a Reading defender cleared the danger and the points were shared.
Editor's View
This was a massive point from the Cobblers point of view! Reading were a patient side who built well from the back but their finishing let them down. Town defended well and Broads had set his stall out for a point, which was achieved. With three games left, it still remains tight at the bottom following Bury's win at home to Brentford.
Cobblers Man of the Match
Chris Hargreaves - What a weekend for the Cobblers midfielder, two brilliant performances in three days.
Ref Watch
Mr Jordan was pretty good
Ground
The Madejski is an impressive ground! A crowd of around 16500 created a good atmosphere throughout the match. £15 to get in wasn't too bad (£13 if you buy in advance).
Northampton drew in the match at Madejski Stadium. Review the information and discuss it on the messageboard.