Alex Revell's Stevenage were knocked out of the Papa John's Trophy on Tuesday after a goalless draw at Northampton saw them lose 4-2 on penalties.

Despite Boro putting in a solid performance throughout Revell's side failed to find the all-important goal that their play merited, and were made to pay in the end as the Cobblers won on spot kicks.

With one eye on Saturday's crunch clash against former Premier League boys Bolton at the Lamex, boss Revell made eight changes from the weekend's draw at Morecambe with only Jamie Cumming, Remeao Hutton and Ross Marshall keeping their places.

Stevenage enjoyed a positive start to the first half which continued throughout the opening 45 minutes. Sharper, more positive and dangerous that their League One opponents, Boro looked more than a match for Keith Curle's side.

Femi Akinwande was lively throughout, nearly capitalising on a Cobblers mix-up five minutes in – putting pressure on goalkeeper Mitchell and his centre-back from 45 yards out - but the Northampton pair were eventually able to clear.

Shortly afterwards, Akinwande, a former Millwall academy forward, showed a turn of pace to burst past two defenders before firing the ball across the box only to have cross cleared.

The second half started in much the same vein with Hutton first to threaten the goal, as he cut inside before unleashing a powerful effort, which was well blocked by Northampton's Bolger.

However, as the clock ticked down, Boro simply couldn't break down Keith Curle's resolute Northampton, and lost on penalties after Newton and Akinwande's missed spot-kicks saw the Cobblers progress to the next round of the competition.

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Read Nub News for our pre-match build up and match coverage when Stevenage host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.