Mitch Pinnock scored with virtually the last kick of the game to rescue a dramatic point for Northampton against runaway League Two leaders Forest Green.
Matt Stevens’ header was controversially deemed to have crossed the line 20 minutes from time before Pinnock emphatically slammed in an equaliser deep into stoppage-time.
Northampton made the better start and they were inches away from a fourth-minute lead when Pinnock’s superb curling shot clipped the inside of the post and bounced away.
Paul Lewis glanced a header wide while Forest Green’s best chance of the first half fell to Jamille Matt – but he was excellently denied by Liam Roberts.
Rovers were on the front foot after half-time and they were so close to breaking the deadlock when Matt’s header hit the base of the post.
The goal that did eventually give the visitors the lead came with a huge slice of controversy with Stevens deeming to have smuggled Nicky Cadden’s corner over the line despite Northampton’s furious protests.
That looked to be the goal that made all the difference until the fifth minute of added time when Pinnock dramatically fired a sweet shot into the bottom corner for a share of the spoils.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Northampton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Roberts
- 3McGowan
- 6HorsfallBooked at 64mins
- 5Guthrie
- 14Koiki
- 4SowerbyBooked at 45mins
- 17McWilliams
- 7Hoskins
- 8LewisBooked at 51minsSubstituted forZimbaat 73′minutes
- 11PinnockBooked at 90mins
- 10ConnollySubstituted forRoseat 84′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Harriman
- 16Flores
- 18Zimba
- 23Mills
- 26Maxted
- 32Rose
- 35Dyche
Forest Green
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1McGee
- 22Godwin-Malife
- 15Moore-Taylor
- 3Bernard
- 2WilsonBooked at 80mins
- 7Stevenson
- 4Sweeney
- 11Cadden
- 10AitchisonSubstituted forHendryat 83′minutes
- 14Matt
- 9StevensSubstituted forMarchat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Cargill
- 17Edwards
- 18Young
- 21Hendry
- 23Diallo
- 24Thomas
- 28March
- Referee:
- Marc Edwards
- Attendance:
- 5,415
Live Text
-
Match ends, Northampton Town 1, Forest Green Rovers 1.
-
Second Half ends, Northampton Town 1, Forest Green Rovers 1.
-
Mitchell Pinnock (Northampton Town) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
-
Goal! Northampton Town 1, Forest Green Rovers 1. Mitchell Pinnock (Northampton Town) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Shaun McWilliams.
-
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Udoka Godwin-Malife.
-
Attempt missed. Mitchell Pinnock (Northampton Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aaron McGowan.
-
Dan Sweeney (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Chanka Zimba (Northampton Town).
-
Attempt saved. Aaron McGowan (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mitchell Pinnock with a cross.
-
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Regan Hendry.
-
Attempt blocked. Danny Rose (Northampton Town) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Mitchell Pinnock with a cross.
-
Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Udoka Godwin-Malife.
-
Attempt blocked. Chanka Zimba (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Shaun McWilliams with a headed pass.
-
Attempt missed. Nicky Cadden (Forest Green Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Kane Wilson following a fast break.
-
Attempt blocked. Aaron McGowan (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
-
Substitution, Northampton Town. Danny Rose replaces Dylan Connolly.
-
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Regan Hendry replaces Jack Aitchison.
-
Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Kane Wilson tries a through ball, but Josh March is caught offside.
-
Kane Wilson (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Foul by Kane Wilson (Forest Green Rovers).
