Northampton boss Kevin Nolan said he could not have asked for any more from his players after his injury-ravaged side drew 0-0 with Stevenage on New Year’s Day.
Missing 15 players due to injury, the Cobblers were the better side throughout the first half before losing influential captain Jon Guthrie to a knee problem.
The second half was more even but the hosts dug in and kept an impressive clean sheet.
“I thought we were the more dominant team, certainly in the first half,” said Nolan. “You could see the confidence was starting to come back into the lads and they were putting a few passes together, which was pleasing.
“We got into some really good areas and I thought we could have got the ball into the box a lot more and put them under pressure and make them win headers and tackles.
“But from where we were a week ago, to get a couple of draws and a clean sheet, I’m really pleased. Big Jon come off and that can rock you but it didn’t and to a man they stood up.
“They are all working hard and helping each other out and that togetherness is what we’ve spoken about. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.
“We have to keep working hard and keep moving forward and there’s another big game coming up in 72 hours.”
On Guthrie’s injury, Nolan said: “Jon felt something in his knee and he was a bit scared.
“But I think now he feels a little bit more confident with it having spoken to him after the game. I’m hopeful it won’t be a long-term one.”
Stevenage manager Alex Revell said: “It’s frustrating because of the season and the first 35 minutes but they made it very difficult.
“They played 5-4-1 and there was no space and they relied on set-pieces and second balls and for the first half an hour we didn’t do anywhere near enough to make them work.
“You have to deal with that and we did deal with it but we changed it after the injury and that’s when we started to dominate the ball without any penetration.
“There was a lack of space and 5-4-1 is a really hard shape to break down because you have to keep it and you have to be patient and you have to move them around.
“We had a couple of chances in the second half but we didn’t do enough in those areas to hurt them. It’s a clean sheet and a point away from home but it’s disappointing because you want to come here and win.
“They’re relying on second balls and playing up to (Tom) Eaves and that’s how Kev has decided he’s going to get results but we have to be better and braver.”
