The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme Development squad lost 1-0 at home to Milton Keynes Dons in the EFL Community & Education Football Alliance League Men's Cup on Wednesday afternoon.
The hosts were on top without creating any clear opportunities in the first half.
Their best chance fell midway through the opening period when Harry Cowley’s powerful strike was denied by a one-handed save and a defender cleared the ball off the line as it travelled towards goal.
MK Dons opened the scoring against the run of play a few minutes later as an attacker cut the ball back from the byline and a teammate fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
The Cobblers regained control after the break and threatened early on when Jahmai Akande drove towards the near post, his shot was saved by the onrushing ‘keeper and his rebound from a tight angle was blocked on the line by a covering defender.
The hosts came inches from equalising going into the final 20 minutes as captain Reece Lineham headed wide from Leo Wiles’ deep corner.
They also went close twice in the last 10, Tom Lewis volleying Akande’s cross over at the far post and Wiles hitting the base of the post from long range.
The Cobblers were unable to draw level despite their late chances, falling to a defeat in the cup.
Cobblers: Oskar Gajewski, Reece Lineham, Dean Strachan, Josiah McWilliams, Zack Kirk-Bates, Leonardo Napodano, Abdul Maxxamed, Tom Lewis, Harry Cowley, Leo Wiles, Jahmai Akande
Substitute: Will Mattison