Ben Clark grabbed a first-half equaliser on his return to the starting eleven to make it 1-1 at the Sixfields Stadium this afternoon.

In what was a relatively open game, both sides had chances to snatch the win but the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils from the game, bringing their seven-game run of away defeats to an end.

With three changes to the starting eleven for the game at The Sixfields Stadium; Ben Clark replacing the suspended Godwin Antwi, Arran Lee-Barrett replacing Jan Budtz in goal and Willie Boland coming into the centre of midfield, Danny Wilson was looking for his side to eradicate their recent defensive lapses.

And the new line-up at the back were put to the test early on in this League One clash as the hosts battled forward right from kick off, looking to put their own inconsistent start to the season behind them.

Unfortunately for Pools, it was the hosts who drew first blood this afternoon after just sixteen minutes of play when centre back Liam Dolman fired home to make it 1-0.

And it was a case of de-ja vu for Pools when the hosts were awarded a corner kick; the ball was whipped in by Daniel Jones and, once again a lapse of concentration by Pools at the back allowed Northampton a couple of touches inside the area before Dolman got the final killer touch to hit the ball high into the roof of the net.

Pools showed a positive response to going behind and worked hard in search of a much-needed equaliser and, as the game opened up more, there were chances to draw level.

Chances arrived for David Foley, who fired in a left-footed shot from the edge of the area which was held by Mark Bunn at the near post and Ben Clark poked the ball towards goal after Bunn spilled a Robbie Elliott corner kick only to see it roll just the wrong side of the post.

Ritchie Humphreys burst through the field towards goal to lay the ball on for Ian Moore in a great position inside the area but unfortunately his final touch was too weak and Bunn was able to collect.

David Foley had another, clearer chance to fire in the equaliser when Humphreys hit an Elliott corner into his path but his effort also went just wide of target.

The equaliser did come for Pools just on the stroke of half time in similar style to Northampton's opener and it was Ben Clark who celebrated his return to the starting eleven with a goal.

A Robbie Elliott corner kick from the right caused problems for the home defence and, after touches from Liddle, Foley and Humphreys, Ben Clark showed a clam touch to just slot the ball past Bunn and into the bottom left corner of the net, giving Pools just the boost they needed going into the break.

The second half continued in much the same style as the first had ended, with both sides enjoying their fair share of possession without really threatening either keeper.

But the introduction of James Brown just before the hour mark gave Wilson's men a visible lift as they burst forward and put the hosts under some real pressure for the first time in the second half.

Willie Boland burst forward before playing a great ball through for Brown to run onto and, only a well-timed last-ditch interception from Jones denied the youngster from firing home a second for Pools.

Arran Lee-Barrett got his first big test of the half mid-way through the second period when Danny JAckman burst forward before unleashing a powerful drive goalwards - fortunately the Pools' stopper showed good reactions to get behind the ball and hold the shot.

The game really did liven up in the closing period, with chances for both sides to make it 2-1.

Ian Moore went desperately close to bagging a winner for Pools when he was fed a ball through from James Brown on the right side of the area before turning a lifting a great effort at goal which rose high over Bunn before hitting the crossbar and bouncing back into play.

The hosts then missed a perfect opportunity to snatch a lead in the game when sub Ian Henderson received the ball inside the area but, just as he looked set to poke home, Henderson powered his shot high over the bar, much to the relief of the Pools defence.

There was another chance for Ian Moore at the other end - sub Matty Robson, who looked lively after his introduction to the game, burst forward down the left wing to slide a ball square for Ian Moore at the left post but his touch saw the ball edge wide of target when a goal looked on the cards.

Arran Lee-Barrett was forced into action just after the 80^th minute mark when the hosts were awarded a freekick on the left side of the penalty box - as Giles Coke met the cross with a fierce shot at goal, the Pools' keeper reacted well to get down and block the effort before finally grabbing possession and averting the danger.

And the Pools' stopper really made his mark on the game just minutes before the final whistle when Mark Hughes went through clear on goal - with the defence caught out and Ritchie Humphreys working hard to track back, Lee-Barrett did brilliantly to meet the forward on the edge of the box and completely smother the ball, once again negating a big threat for Pools.

As the end of the game approached and the game continued at a high tempo, another Pools attached resulted in Matty Robson being bundled over inside the area by Jones but referee Mr Russell, who had already denied Pools with two handball claims, waved away appeals and allowed play to go on.

And so, despite these late chances at both ends, the game ended at 1-1 and Pools left with a point as reward for a hard-working display against Northampton Town - ending the seven-game run of away defeats.

Next up for Wilson's men is a Friday night clash with Cheltenham Town at The Vic and the Pools' boss will be looking to take maximum points from that clash.

Att: 4639 (358 Pools)

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Nolan, Nelson, Clark, Elliott (Robson 72), Foley (Brown 58), Liddle, Boland, Humphreys, Barker (Porter 86), Moore

Subs Not Used: Budtz, Sweeney

Northampton Town: Bunn, Crowe, Jackman, Coke, Kirk (Henderson 60), Johnson, Hayes (Gilligan 68), Dolman (Hughes 45), Jones, Little, Bowditch

Subs Not Used: Dunn, Burnell