A young Northampton Town squad lost 2-1 away to AFC Rushden and Diamonds in the Northamptonshire FA Hillier Senior Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
Jacob Scott scored the Cobblers’ goal as they were knocked-out by their Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands opponents.
The near-freezing conditions made for a scrappy contest, the hosts creating the first two chances.
Marcus Bald blocked Ethan Johnston’s strike at the near post early on before pushing away the forward’s shot across goal on the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
The visitors looked the more likely side to open the scoring after the midpoint of the first half, Neo Dobson having two low efforts saved by Louis Lawlor and Reuben Wyatt placing wide of the post from 20 yards.
Diamonds took the lead five minutes into the second period, Fraser Corden firing home first-time after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area.
Half-time substitute Cairo Taylor doubled the advantage on the hour, sprinting in on goal and lofting the ball over the onrushing Bald.
Scott freed himself from his marker to head James Owen’s corner in at the near post and halve the deficit going into the last 20 minutes.
The Cobblers put pressure on the Diamonds goal through a succession of Kiantay Licorish-Mullings long-throws late on, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Cobblers: Marcus Bald, Tom Cartwright, Kiantay Licorish-Mullings, Josh Tomlinson, Matthew Ireland, Jacob Scott, Reuben Wyatt, Peter Abimbola, James Owen, Jamari Hart, Neo Dobson
Substitutes: Elliot Smith, Leo Jenkins, Josh Rayfield, Harry Guess, Charlie Carroll