More than 1,000 Hatters made the short journey north to Sixfields to see Nathan Jones’ side record another 2-1 pre-season victory this afternoon.
With former striker Danny Hylton in the hosts' attack, just a couple of weeks after his departure from Kenilworth Road was confirmed after six years at the club, the fans were keen to pay tribute to the man who played as big a part as any in the back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship.
Two second-half goals in three minutes from Elijah Adebayo and Dan Potts overturned a lead the Cobblers had held from the seventh minute, when Mitch Pinnock finished from close range after Kieron Bowie’s run pierced the Hatters’ defence.
Hylton was next to have a go, after more good link play between Pinnock and Bowie, but the striker’s angled drive found the side netting.
Jordan Clark had the Hatters’ first attempt in the 12th minute, his 25 yarder fired straight at Lee Burge, then the Cobblers’ keeper showed sharp reactions to turn Alfie Doughty’s cross-shot over the bar.
Hylton was enjoying himself up against his former team-mates, although his attempted 45-yard chip over Ethan Horvath barely reached the six-yard box – emphasising why only two of his 62 Luton goals came from outside the penalty area!
He was much closer moments later though with a shot that was blocked, then a 27th-minute spin and left-footed effort that Horvath managed to repel.
Northampton had enjoyed the better of the opening half and were worthy of their lead at the break, but the Hatters came out with a back four in the second half with Gabe Osho pushed into the holding midfield role.
Reward came in the 54th minute when Adebayo pressed Northampton captain Jon Guthrie on the edge of his own penalty area and won the ball, before slotting a precise finish past Burge into the bottom corner of the hosts’ net.
Town had the lead two minutes later and it was captain for the day, Potts, who volleyed a left-footer in off the post after Bree and Doughty had combined with a short corner routine on the right.
Burge had to be alert to push away a powerful effort from Carlton Morris after more good work by Doughty, this time down his natural left flank, then a curling effort from Clark was deflected just wide before Burge got down low to his right to push a Cauley Woodrow shot away.
Northampton made Horvath work in the 69th minute as one of their subs, Peter Abimbola, got away on the left and sent a low shot towards the American’s near post, but the man on loan from Nottingham Forest saved well.
Sonny Bradley saw a header saved at the second attempt by Burge after Henri Lansbury whipped in a dangerous 76th-minute cross, and that was the last of the meaningful goalmouth action as Town followed up 2-1 wins over NK Bravo and Gillingham with another.
TOWN: Horvath, Bree, Burke, Osho, Potts, Doughty, Campbell, Clark, Woodrow, Morris, Adebayo.
64 MINS ONWARDS: Horvath, Mendes Gomes, Lockyer, Bradley, Pereira, Lansbury, Berry, Freeman, Muskwe, Cornick, Jerome.
Goals:
NT – Pinnock 7
LT – Adebayo 54, Potts 56