The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme CEFA Central Four squad drew 1-1 at home to second-placed Derby County on Wednesday afternoon.
Bradley Cheshire scored the Cobblers’ goal as they remained third in the league table.
The visitors opened the scoring early on when an unmarked attacker finished from a deep cross.
Cheshire worked some space in the area and forced the goalkeeper into a low save as the Cobblers looked to draw level 10 minutes in.
Neither side really threatened the opposition goal in the rest of a scrappy first half, but the hosts were on top after the break.
Substitute James Lewis fired a rasping half-volley just over on the hour mark, and they equalised soon after when Jahdai Smith flicked on to Cheshire, who hooked past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
The Cobblers came close to turning the game around with a quarter-of-an hour remaining but Kenny Kwarteng and Smith were both denied by diving saves in quick succession.
Francis Banks’ side were unable to find a late winner and had to settle for a point. They host Walsall next week.
Cobblers: Kai Hanley, Joshua Davey, Charlie Clarke, Brandon Ferris, Nathan Fitzgerald, Kelvin Kwarteng, Elliot Balchin-Love, Callum Law, Bradley Cheshire, Kenny Kwarteng, Jahdai Smith
Substitutes: Nico Mountford-Hill, Alfie Leivars, James Lewis, Sonny Reeves, Zack Douglas