Manchester United rolled into town as the Cobblers took on Jose Mourinho’s side in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Having beaten higher league opposition in Barnsley and West Brom in the previous two rounds, a sold out Sixfields hosted one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Rob Page made two changes to the side, bringing in Gabriel Zakuani and Sam Hoskins for Lewin Nyatanga and the cup-tied Paul Anderson. Marc Richards, who played in the game when the sides last met back in 2004, was named on the bench.
Wayne Rooney started up front for United as Mourinho named a strong side packed full of internationals.
There was a vibrant atmosphere inside Sixfields as the game got underway with the Cobblers fans in strong voice on a mild September night.
Adam Smith made an early save to keep out a low shot from Rooney. The first corner of the game went to the Cobblers after some pressure down the right from Sam Hoskins. Matt Taylor delivered the set-piece but a United defender was there to head clear with Zander Diamond lurking.
United took the lead on 17 minutes, Michael Carrick curling a shot into the top corner after Rooney’s free-kick came back off the wall.
The Cobblers responded positively to falling behind and Sergio Romero was forced to punch the ball away under pressure from Alex Revell. The Town striker then put a shot over the bar from the home side’s second corner of the night.
Tim Fosu-Mensah headed against the crossbar as United went close to doubling their lead, Rooney nodding in the rebound only to be denied by an off-side flag.
Kenji Gorre tested Romero on 38 minutes, the young winger cutting in from out wide before firing in a shot that had to be turned behind by the United keeper.
The home side were really growing into the game and when Daley Blind fouled Sam Hoskins in the area, referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot.
Alex Revell stepped up to score to make it 1-1, sending Romero the wrong way with the coolest of penalties.
The attendance of 7,798 confirmed at half-time, was a new stadium record.
John-Joe O’Toole came on in the Cobblers first change, replacing Harry Beautyman. Jose Mourinho meanwhile made a double change, bringing on Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Herrera blasted a shot from just outside the area that struck the post but with half an hour to go the tie remained locked at 1-1.
United re-took the lead midway through the second half, Ander Herrera firing home into the bottom corner having been played in by Rashford.
Marc Richards replaced Jak McCourt in the Cobblers final change as Mourinho brought on Marouane Fellaini for Morgan Schneiderlin.
Marcus Rashford made it 3-1 on 75 minutes, using his pace to nip in and take the bouncing ball away from Adam Smith before going onto score.
The Cobblers had given it their all and pushed Manchester United all the way but from 3-1 there was no way back and it was Mourinho’s side who progressed through to round four.