For the second successive Saturday Walsall were once again the visitors to Sixfields but this time it was for a FA Cup second round tie. The game ended 1-1 with both goals coming in the first 8 minutes, Tommy Mooney putting the Saddlers ahead before Andy Kirk's 11th goal of the season secured a replay for Town.

A return to league action then saw the Cobblers beaten 3-0 by an impressive Swansea City side, Jason Scotland (2) and Darren Pratley on target at the Liberty Stadium.

Carlisle then came to Sixfields and the Cobblers long pointless and scoreless drought finally came to an end as the Cumbrians were held to a 2-2 draw. Mark Bridge-Wilkinson and Joe Garner twice gave John Ward's side the lead but the Cobblers battled away valiantly and Bradley Johnson's injury time equaliser added to Jason Crowe's initial levler.

Back to the FA Cup and despite having the better of a fairly low key game at the Bescot Stadium it was Walsall who went through to the third round, a Michael Ricketts 85th minute penalty proving decisive.

The following night and it was a similar story as the Cobblers youth team suffered late heart ache at Sixfields as Reading knocked them out of the FA Youth Cup with an 88th minute winner.

In other news and Guy Branston returned to Peterborough following the completion of his one-month loan spell while later in the month Brett Johnson was to sign a contract extension with his then deal due to expire on New Years Day.

Ipswich meanwhile agreed to allow Dean Bowditch to remain on loan at Sixfields for a second month.

The trip to Nottingham Forest resulted in the Cobblers second 2-2 draw of the month but having lead 2-1 going into the closing stages Stuart Gray's side very nearly came away from the City Ground with maximum points. Lewis McGugan gave Colin Calderwood's side the lead but in the second half goals from Poul Hubertz and Daniel Jones turned the game on its head before Junior Agogo popped up with a late, late leveller.

The Cobblers kicked off their festive fixtures with a convincing home victory over Bournemouth, goals from Dean Bowditch, Daniel Jones, Bradley Johnson and Jason Crowe securing a 4-1 win. Brett Pittman was the man on target for Kevin Bond's men.

Stuart Gray's side then suffered a disappointing defeat at Doncaster on Boxing Day before bouncing back three days later with an impressive win at Huddersfield.

The game at the Keepmoat ended 2-0 with Mark McCammon and Adam Lockwood on target for Donny, both goals coming in a disappointing first half for Town.

The year then ended on a high as despite one of the Cobblers old adversaries, Andy Booth giving the Terriers the lead on the stroke of half-time, second half goals from Poul Hubertz and Jason Crowe secured a 2-1 win for the Cobblers.

Boosted by their three points haul at the Galpharm, the Cobblers ended the calendar year 16th in the League One table, 7 points clear of the drop zone.