Northampton and Stevenage started the new year with a low-quality goalless draw at Sixfields.

The home side started with good intent and TJ Eyoma forced a decent early save from Murphy Cooper before Will Hondermarck shaved a post with a low shot from long range.

Cooper was also called into action to keep out Jon Guthrie and Tom Eaves but Northampton’s momentum was halted by a worrying injury to captain Guthrie, who had to be taken off on a stretcher after an awkward fall.

Jordan Roberts was off-target with Stevenage’s first chance of the game in first-half stoppage time but the lack of quality in attacking areas was apparent and that continued after the break.

Tariqe Fosu fired wide in the home side’s best moment of the second half while at the other end Nik Tzanev denied Roberts and then Dan Phillips blazed over but no team was able to find a winner.