Northampton Town 1-1 Millwall

A late, late equaliser from Gary Alexander gave Millwall a share of the spoils at Sixfields as the Cobblers were pegged back in dramatic style right at the death. The game also saw Poul Hubertz and Millwall’s Neil Harris sent off ten minutes from time.

Brad Johnson wasn’t considered for selection after the club released a statement saying that a substantial bid had been made from a Championship club for the midfielder. Daniel Jones started his final game for the club before moving back to Wolves after a successful loan spell while Dean Bowditch was recalled to the starting line up. Ryan Gilligan was the latest Cobblers player to be added to the injury list and missed the game.

Poul Hubertz had the first effort of the game against his former club but Lenny Pidgeley made the save. The Cobblers kept up the pressure and both Dean Bowditch and Hubertz again went close and Jason Crowe followed up an Andy Kirk effort and headed just wide of the mark.

The Cobblers’ pressure paid off with about ten minutes of the half to play though as Danny Jackman crossed in, Jason Crowe met the ball and forced it back to Bowditch who scored from close range to give us a deserved lead going into the break.

Andy Kirk went close to adding a second of the game for the Cobblers just after half time but his free kick was well saved by Pidgeley before Jason Crowe headed over from a corner.

Pidgeley was called into action once again minutes later as Daniel Jones curled a free kick towards goal but the former Chelsea stopper tipped the ball over the bar.

Millwall then started to come into the game and Mark Bunn had to save well from Neil Harris before Jay Simpson shot just wide. Bunn had to be alert again from half-time substitute Gary Alexander as the visitors looked for the equaliser.

With ten minutes to play, tempers flared and the result was a double red card. First, Neil Harris raised his hands in response to a Hubertz challenge and was given his marching orders and then Hubertz closely followed for his involvement in the fracas.

It looked like we would hold out for another vital three points but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Alexander converted from close range to give Millwall a point.

So a point a piece in the first game of 2008 and the Cobblers now travel to Elland Road on Saturday for the much anticipated trip to play Leeds United.