Northampton's campaign got off to a frustrating start as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Macclesfield.
Spoils shared at Sixfields
Northampton's campaign got off to a frustrating start as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Macclesfield.
The Cobblers struggled to create any chances in the first half and Macclesfield twice went close in the space of two minutes when the woodwork saved Northampton on both occasions.
Shaun Brisley headed onto the crossbar from John Rooney's in-swinging corner in the 28th minute and, two minutes later, Colin Daniel also hit the crossbar following a strong run from Emile Sinclair.
Earlier, Dean Beckwith went close for Northampton when his near-post header was cleared off the line by Carl Tremarco, while the lively Ben Marshall was just off target with a far-post header.
Jon Brain produced a superb full-length save to deny Adebayo Akinfenwa in the 70th minute, but substitute Izak Reid should have broken the deadlock in the 75th minute just Chris Dunn to beat, but he fired his shot across the goal.
At the other end, Marshall went close with a free-kick and Daniel wasted a late chance to win it for Macclesfield, but substitute Steve Guinan should have won it for Northampton three minutes into stoppage time after being set up by Billy McKay, but he shot across the face of goal from an acute angle.
