Mansfield made all of the early running and led through Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery, but Cobblers responded with an excellent second-half display and have given themselves every chance heading back to Sixfields thanks to Ali Koiki’s deflected effort. Here are our player ratings...
9. Sam Hoskins
A man playing with confidence and belief and he was a problem for Mansfield with his direct and constant running. Curled a beauty just a yard wide of the far post and it needed some desperate defending to block another effort as Town chased an equaliser... 7 Photo: Nathan Stirk
10. Idris Kanu
His first start since January and frankly it showed during a very rusty first 10 minutes. Did improve but little surprise when his number came up early in the second period... 5.5 Photo: Pete Norton
11. Louis Appere
Stung the palms of Bishop with a well-hit early effort and there were clear signs he would cause problems for Mansfield's defence with more support around him, and so it proved as Cobblers dominated in the second 45 minutes. Excellent work for the goal. Brady will want him fit and firing for the second leg... 7.5 Photo: Pete Norton
12. Josh Eppiah
Cobblers were a more cohesive and dangerous attacking unit with him on the field and only a last-ditch intervention by O'Toole denied him a tap-in... 7 Photo: Pete Norton