Eight days after forecasting that this League One clash would be a totally different affair to Leeds's FA Cup romp at Sixfields last week, manager Gary McAllister's words came horribly true.
Denied by the woodwork and a string of fine saves by Cobblers goalkeeper Frank Fielding, McAllister's men were beaten by a header from substitute Nicholas Bignall three minutes from time.
Trailing to a first-half wonder strike by Liam Davis, the v
isitors had finally hauled themselves on level terms in the 69th minute with Jermaine Beckford's sixth goal in three games when he headed in a cross from Andy Robinson.
But Beckford hobbled off 10 minutes later with what looked to be a worrying groin injury. Northampton had gone ahead in the 28th minute when Davis collected a cross from Ryan Gilligan before firing past David Lucas.
That prompted a spate of Leeds chances with Beckford's curler brilliantly saved by Fielding, who then denied the striker with his legs before Fabian Delph hit the post.
The second half continued in the same vein and it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would draw level with Robinson forcing Fielding into two desperate saves while Becchio hit the woodwork.
Beckford's goal arrived and it was Leeds who looked certain to snatch the winner until Danny Jackman's late corner found the unmarked Bignall.
Northampton: Fielding; Walker, Todd, Crowe, Jackman; Gilligan, Guttridge (Holt 76), Coke, Davis; Constantine (Bignall 76), McGleish, Unused Substitutes: Hughes, Dunn, Dolman.
Leeds United: Lucas; Hughes, Michalik, Telfer, Parker; Robinson, Prutton, Douglas (Snodgrass 66), Delph; Becchio, Beckford (Howson 79). Unused Substitutes: Ankergren, Richardson, Kilkenny.
Referee: C Foy (Lancashire).
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