Northampton Town picked up their first point under new boss Kevin Nolan with a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury in their final game of 2024.

The Cobblers had fallen behind through a goal by one-time Northampton defender Aaron Pierre, but a quick equaliser by Cameron McGeehan saw the visitors take a point on their trip to Shropshire.

A point was enough for Northampton to rise up a place in the league table, with the club jumping above Bristol Rovers after the latter lost 3-0 at Stevenage.

Northampton now sit 19th in the table and two points above the relegation zone in the third tier, albeit having played a game more than the teams below them in the table.

The first half saw Jon Guthrie head over early on before Shrewsbury came close when George Lloyd saw a strike deflected over.

Samy Chouchane would see an effort go wide of the mark, before two great chances came the Cobblers’ way as McGeehan and Aaron McGowan had shots cleared off the line in quick succession.

Shrewsbury would take the lead in the contest on the hour mark. The Shrews saw former Cobbler John Marquis have a strike denied by Nik Tzanev, but Pierre popped up from the back converted from close range.

Northampton would only be behind for three minutes, however. Chouchane’s cross into the box fell kindly for McGeehan, who glanced a header into the back of the net.

Tzanev made a firm stop to deny Josh Kayode, but despite the game having nine minutes of stoppage time, play ultimately fizzled out as the two sides settled for a point apiece from their relegation six pointer.

Northampton’s first home game with Nolan in charge will come next, with the Cobblers welcoming Stevenage to Sixfields on New Year’s Day.