The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme NFYL South Premier Division squad lost 4-1 at home to Brentford on Wednesday afternoon.
The Cobblers matched their in-form opponents in terms of performance, but the visitors took their chances when they came.
Brentford created two early on, forcing a good save from Tom Ladyman and hitting the outside of the post.
They opened the scoring on the half-an-hour mark when a through ball split the Cobblers defence and an attacker slotted into the bottom corner.
Eddie Panter won a penalty and the opportunity to equalise before the break, but the goalkeeper made a great diving save from the striker’s spot kick.
The visitors doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half when an attacker rounded Ladyman and passed into the empty net.
The advantage was increased further when a loose ball was pounced on and finished.
Panter pulled a goal back with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, checking back and finding the far bottom corner.
However, Brentford restored their three-goal lead late on when an attacker won the ball and fired low into the bottom corner.
Fran Constancio’s side travel to Reading in the New Year.
Cobblers: Tom Ladyman, Josh Whaler, Jake Webster, Pearce Jones, Ellis Andrews, David Sarpong, Patrick McGrath, Elliot Turton, Eddie Panter, Alfie Doherty, Keiron Mobbs
Substitutes: Harry Francis-Jones, Mac Coulson, Lorenco Soulollari, Freddie King, Johnny Carey