Boxing Day saw a 93rd minute free kick deny The Cobblers a point at Roots Hall as Southend snatched a barely deserved victory. Yesterday, it was the Cobblers who benefited from a late goal that earned a point following a controversial red card shown to Jason Crowe.
Crowe, one of the players who could be part of transfer speculation over the next few weeks could have deflected a lot of attention away from himself by the sending off that keeps him out for a couple of games immediately. But players are thin on the ground for Stuart Gray as it is, with Luke Guttridge and Danny Jackman both adding to the injury list yesterday.
It was a testament to the state of affairs at the club before the game yesterday with three four youngsters on the bench in Ron Robert Zeiler, Alex Dyer, Greg Taylor and Joe Benjamin, who secured a professional contract just a few days ago.
It was Crowe who had the first effort on goal following a start to the game that matched the freezing conditions that enveloped Sixfields. Crowe was put through one on one with goalkeeper Alex Smithies but the he managed to tip the ball around the post well to stop the opening.
At the other end it was former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri that tested Chris Dunn in the visitors' first attack and he sent in an effort from distance that Dunn did well to parry.
Just a minute later, we were denied by a clear penalty shout that everyone in the ground must have seen except referee Mr Linington as a Terriers defender rose highest with his hand and appeared to punch the ball away following a corner but incredibly it went unnoticed by the officials.
Danny Jackman had to be replaced as he hobbled off shortly after that incident and Colin Larkin came off the bench in a reshuffle by Stuart Gray. Giles Coke ended the half by shooting over the bar.
After a first half that will be remembered for the penalty that never was, the Cobblers came out firing and Abdul Osman blasted a shot just over the bar from range before susbstitute Larkin tried to round the keeper but was blocked off by defenders before he could get a decent shot away.
More controversy followed as Huddersfield had the lead with one of their first attacks of the half. A free kick was given twenty five yards out in yet another poor decision from Mr Linington and Phil Jevon stepped up to curl the ball past Dunn to send the visitors into the lead.
Mr Linington did more to get in the home fans' bad books as he sent off Jason Crowe as he brought brought down Gary Roberts. Linington saw Crowe as the last man but covering defenders would certainly argue against that case but the end result was that the defender walked.
Joe Benjamin was brought off the bench to add some attacking flair as we looked to salvage a point with Ryan Gilligan replaced and we did have that salvation left in us.
With literally the final kick of the game and with no time left to play, the ball fell to Adebayo Akinfenwa who shot home from the edge of the area to earn a point and save our skins after a game full of poor refereeing decisions.
More bad news on the injury front followed with both Jackman and Luke Guttridge set to be out for a while so this is a big week for the Cobblers as we are desperately low on numbers. The loan market will surely come into play before Friday's trip to Hartlepool United but for now we will reflect on a point that keeps us in a safe mid table position.
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