The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme NFYL South Premier Division squad lost 3-0 at home to top-of-the-table Crystal Palace on Wednesday afternoon.
The defeat ended the Cobblers’ unbeaten start to the season and continued their opponents’ 100% league record.
The hosts threatened early on when captain Josh Whaler’s deflected shot was parried away, but Palace opened the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes later.
Eddie Panter came close to an equaliser on the half-an-hour mark, but his driven cross-shot was punched clear.
Both sides had chances before the break. Tom Ladyman recovered to deny a low cross that deflected towards goal and Pearce Jones’ fierce, first-time drive flew just over the bar.
The visitors created the first opportunity of the second half when an attacker cut inside and curled over narrowly from 20 yards.
Ladyman had to be alert to tip over a deflected long range effort a few minutes later.
The Cobblers responded soon after when substitute Ethan Aldridge played Panter in over the top and the striker forced a low save with a shot across goal.
However, the league leaders doubled their lead after the hour when Ladyman made a low, diving save, and an attacker smashed the close range rebound into the back of the net.
They made it three when a corner found its way to the back post where it was tapped home by a free man.
Fran Constancio’s side host Brentford in a fortnight.
Cobblers: Tom Ladyman, Josh Whaler, Jake Webster, Elliot Turton, Ellis Andrews, Lorenco Soullolari, Cairo Taylor, Pearce Jones, Eddie Panter, Mac Coulson, Keiron Mobbs
Substitutes: Harry Francis-Jones, Patrick McGrath, Brad Cheshire, Ethan Aldridge