Half-time: Northampton Town 0 Bristol Rovers 0

Bristol Rovers had to survive an early Northampton onslaught before getting themselves into the game at Sixfields.

The Pirates could count themselves lucky not to be in arrears at the interval, although they did make more of an impression as the first-half wore on.

Rovers made two changes from the side beaten 2-1 at home by 10-man MK Dons on Boxing Day, Craig Hinton returning to central defence at the expense of Byron Anthony, while Ryan Green replaced suspended David Pipe at right-back.

But it was the home side who dominated the early stages and they were denied by the woodwork in the opening minute.

Big striker Adebayo Akinfenwa muscled his way onto a long ball forward but saw his strike from 18 yards hit the inside of the post and bounce away to safety.

Keeper Steve Phillips had to dive to his left to save Danny Jackman’s 25-yard free kick at the foot of his post, then Akinfenwa nodded home from the resulting corner but saw his effort ruled out for a push.

Ryan Gilligan shot wide as the Cobblers continued to enjoy the early pressure and it was 17 minutes before Rovers showed signs of a threat on goal, but Jeff Hughes’ downward header from Craig Disley’s cross lacked power.

Northampton had the ball in the net again after 23 minutes, though Scott McGleish was clearly offside and also saw his attempt ruled out.

Then, just before the half-hour, Jo Kuffour’s shot rebounded to Craig Disley near the bye-line. The midfielder had team-mates waiting in the middle but chose to shoot from a tight angle and could only find the side netting.

The Pirates put their best move of the opening period together six minutes before the break when the ball was eventually worked to Chris Lines, whose right-foot curler from 20-yards flew a foot over the bar.

Northampton: Dunn, Crowe, Jackman, Hughes, Todd, Coke, Akinfenwa, Davis, Gilligan, McGleish, Walker. Subs: Constantine, Holt, Dolman, Guttridge, Zieler.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, R Green, Hinton, Elliott, Lescott, Disley, Lines, Hughes, Kuffour, Lambert. Subs: Jacobson, Duffy, Anthony, Hunt, M Green.