SUBSTITUTE Lee Novak pounced for his fifth goal of the season to put Town into the second round of the Johnstone’s paint Trophy.

The Geordie frontman netted eight minutes from time to seal a place in Saturday’s draw after being teed up by Calum Woods with a low cross.

It proved enough after Donal McDermott’s 38th-minute strike had been wiped out by Michael Jacobs on 41.

Lee Clark made five changes to the starting line-up, with Jamie McCombe, Danny Ward and Lee Novak being moved to the bench and Gary Naysmith and Tommy Miller being rested altogether.

Summer signing from Dunfermline, Calum Woods, was drafted in for only a second start of the season, as was loan man from Hull City, Liam Cooper.

Gary Roberts and Oscar Gobern returned to the midfield make-up, while Saturday’s two-goal hero from the 3-0 victory over Wycombe, Alan Lee, was partnered up front with Jordan Rhodes, making his last appearance before linking up with the Scotland Under 21s for their European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria next Monday.

Town, beaten Northern Area finalists last season and making the longest trip in that section for this first-round tie, had striker Danny Cadamarteri in the travelling party.

The early exchanges were open and entertaining and League II Northampton, with barrel-chested frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa knocking people around, threatened with some quick breaks.

Woods did well to slide in and block the pacy Lewis Young, while Anton Robinson did well to block from Michael Jacobs.

Town then had a big escape on 15 minutes when Jack Hunt blocked on the line from Paul Turnbull’s header as he arrived at pace to meet an Arron Davies corner.

Town, with Gobern spraying some terrific long passes, had an effort cleared off the line themselves on 21 minutes when Byron Webster was in place to head away Roberts’ accurate lob which had left keeper Sam Walker with no chance.

Clark’s side started to enjoy more possession after that with Hunt and Donal McDermott linking smartly down the right, and Rhodes was denied the opening goal on the half hour only by the outstretched left leg of Walker as he looked to finish off neat work by Lee and McDermott.