Conor Masterson pounces to earn Cambridge United draw at Northampton Town in the FA Cup

Conor Masterson scored a second-half equaliser as Cambridge United twice bounced back from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw against Northampton Town in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.

United fell behind after just six minutes at Sixfields as on-loan Spurs striker Kion Etete brought down a long pass from Sam Hoskins and jinked inside to slide a shot under U's keeper Dimi Mitov.

Etete was almost in again minutes later, but United were able to clear after a slip by the Cobblers' striker.

The U's were back on level terms after 13 minutes as Sam Smith headed in Jack Iredale's free kick.

It was an end-to-end game and former United midfielder Paul Lewis headed over the bar for Northampton but United went close through Ben Worman while the hosts were forced to defend a string of deliveries into the box by Iredale.

Joe Ironside's acrobatic effort called Northampton keeper Liam Roberts into action on the half-hour, but minutes later, the Cobblers regained their lead.

Etete made the break, and squared a pass for Lewis to score into an empty net.

After the break, Smith was off-target with two chances and, at the other end, Hoskins went close to extending Northampton's lead, but fired wide.

In the 66th minute, Masterson smashed home after the hosts had failed to clear Jensen Weir's free kick.

Mitov was called into action to twice deny Mitch Pinnock late on, clearing a corner and then diving low to thwart an overhead kick.

As there was no separating the sides, they will do battle again at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday, November 16 in a bid to book a place in the second round.