A Cobblers side featuring Luke Coddington, Sam Foley, Andy Williams, Daniel Powell, Morgan Roberts, Junior Morias and Timi Elsnik drew 1-1 against MK Dons in a behind closed doors friendly at Moulton College on Tuesday.
The Cobblers started brightly on a warm afternoon and controlled most of the early possession, but it was MK Dons who created the first opportunity on seven minutes, a strike from the edge of the box going narrowly wide of Luke Coddington's goal.
Timi Elsnik then showed good tenacity in midfield to win the ball high up the pitch but his left-footed effort was well blocked on the edge of the penalty area before Andy Williams couldn't quite pick out Junior Morias at the back-post with a searching cross.
The Cobblers then made the break through on the 18th minute thanks to Daniel Powell's deflected effort. A neat passage of play on the right lead to a corner, Morgan Roberts' delivery was cleared as far as Powell and his low effort took a touch and found the back of the net.
Former Northampton Town midfielder Lawson D'Ath then burst forward for the visitors on 23 minutes but Ryan Hughes was across quickly to make a block, the loose ball then fell for Robbie Simpson and he fired wide from the right side of the box.
Coddington then made a superb save to preserve the lead on 27 minutes, an MK Dons forward broke through into the box for a one-on-one but the 'keeper stood firm to make a block with his right arm and the ball bounced to safety.
Williams was then close to doubling the lead on 34 minutes after being picked out by Elsnik, his shot looked destined for the bottom corner but the ball fell inches wide of Lee Nicholls' post.
MK Dons' equaliser came on 38 minutes, the striker latching onto a long ball before seeing his initial strike hit the post but the ball re-bounded kindly for him to nod into the back of the net.
Powell then almost restored the lead immediately, he created some space on the edge of the box before whipping a decent effort against the post.
Morias also went close on the stroke of half-time, Williams flicked on a forward pass to the striker but his half-volley looped just over the bar.
Morias then had a chance early in the second half but was denied by another good block, he worked his way to the edge of the penalty area but a powerful strike destined for the target was denied by a covering defender.
MK almost took the lead after a well-worked move over on the left side, Mitch Hancox had a shot which rolled just wide of the far-post from 18 yards as the visitors began to take control of possession in the second half.
The Cobblers freshened the side up during the second period and introduced more of the under 18's, including goalkeeper Bradley Lashley, full-back Joe Jarvis and striker Jack Daldy.
Ryan Harley was next to have an opportunity for the visitors, he broke forward from midfield but again a left-footed strike from the edge of the area rolled wide.
Morias thought he’d nodded the Cobblers back into the lead on 70 minutes, Roberts got forward well from left-back before delivering a perfect cross but the forward was adjudged just offside as he leapt to head into the net.
Lashley was then called into his first meaningful piece of action on 74 minutes, MK Dons possession on the edge of the box led to a chance for their forward but Lashley produced a strong right-handed save to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Morias burst forward with a strong run on 83 minutes, his powerful shot from 20 yards forcing Nicholls into a fine diving save in the game’s final meaningful opportunity on goal.