The group-stage fixture ended 2-2 after an enthralling 90 minutes. Ronnie Stutter and Michael Golding were on target in the opening period for Mark Robinson’s side. Shaun McWilliams and Tyreece Simpson struck for the hosts.

Our young Blues had the better of the chances in the second period, but they couldn't find a winner. However, from 12 yards, it was Chelsea who held their nerve.

Robinson and his players return with two points – one for the draw, another for the shootout win – and know victory against Oxford United in November will secure their place in the knockout stage.

Taking our chances

It was in the early evening drizzle at Sixfields that the Blues started the game strongly; the players appeared confident and up to the technical and physical test.

We fashioned the game’s first opportunity and it fell the way of Stutter. Reiss Denny was able to wriggle beyond challenges and tee up the striker, but his first-time shot was well saved.

Stutter would not be denied, though, and he took his next chance excellently. Denny was again the creator as he played a fine through ball through to Stutter, who smashed beyond goalkeeper Max Thompson.

Momentum swing

Yet our good start was scuppered as the home side found their way back into the game.

McWilliams draw Northampton level as he finished from a cross from Harvey Lintott. The Cobblers then took the lead through Simpson as he found space on the edge of the box and curled an effort into the far corner.

Robinson's side continued to get into dangerous positions, but were unable to find the right pass to unlock the host's defence.

Striking back

That changed nine minutes before half time. Hughes delivered a cross into the Northampton penalty area that found the head of Billy Gee. The ball dropped down and space opened up for Golding.

The 17-year-old kept his composure and fired a shot toward goal that found it's way underneath Thompson. Chelsea were level.

Morgan then went close with a strike from distance which seemed to unsettle the Northampton keeper.

After the interval, the fresh legs of Tyrique George added fresh impetus into our attack. And a great team move involving Dylan Williams and Leo Castledine allowed the second-half substitute to latch onto a pass and release a shot. Unfortunately, it cleared the crossbar.

Looking for the winner

Another good passage of play led to a strong Chelsea penalty appeal; a Harrison Murray-Campbell cross fell to Castledine whose shot struck an arm. The referee waved away the claim.

A George goal was disallowed soon after for offside. Morgan, who provided him the assist via a cross, made his run too early.

Chances flowed late on and a long diagonal put Brodi Hughes through on goal, but his attempted unselfish pass to Stutter was overhit and the move ended with Morgan having a shot blocked.

There was a momentary scare for our young Blues as Eddie Beach came out flying out of his goal to make a clearance, only to see the ball fall to Reuben Wyatt. His first-timed volley was on target but Beach recovered well to make a fine save.

The game ended level and each side claimed a point. Another was up for grabs via the shootout.

Beach made a great stop from the first penalty to give us the advantage and Williams, Castledine, Sam Rak-Sakyi, and George all converted. It was then down to Manny Monthe to keep Northampton in the game.

The experienced centre-back stepped up and blasted his effort clear of the crossbar. It was Chelsea who secured the extra point.

It leaves our young Blues third in Group N with two points. But defeat Oxford United next time out and Robinson's side will once again have secured a place in the knockout stage.

What next?

Our Under-21s are next in action on Monday 2 October away from home against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Teams

Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Eddie Beach; Dylan Williams (c), Billy Gee, Harrison Murray-Campbell; Leo Castledine, Reiss Denny (Sam Rak-Sakyi 83), Kiano Dyer, Brodi Hughes; Michael Golding (Tyrique George 66), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Zain Silcott-Duberry 88), Ronnie Stutter (Donnell McNeilly 83).

Unused subs: Max Merrick, Travis Akomeah, Harrison McMahon.

Booked: Harrison Murray-Campbell 26.

Scorers: Ronnie Stutter 10; Michael Golding 36.

Northampton Town (4-3-3): Max Thompson; Aaron McGowan (c), Ben Fox (Jacob Scott 66), Manny Monthe, Tyreece Simpson (Neo Dobson 62), Shaun McWilliams (Reuben Wyatt 46), Harvey Lintott, Ryan Haynes (Matthew Ireland 74), Josh Tomlinson, Peter Abimbola, Jamari Hart.

Unused subs: James Dadge, Leo Jenkins.

Scorers: Shaun McWilliams 23; Tyreece Simpson 24

Penalty shoot-out: Lintott miss, Williams goal; Wyatt goal, Castledine goal; Abimbola goal, Rak-Sakyi goal; Dobson goal, George goal; Monthe miss