Wayne Rooney could not inspire Derby to FA Cup victory against Sky Bet League Two Northampton as the pair face a fourth-round replay at Pride Park following a forgetful Friday night tie.
The former England skipper was a surprise inclusion for the Rams but failed to captain his new club to a place in round five as Keith Curle’s Northampton created the better chances of a 0-0 draw.
Rooney, captaining a much-changed Derby side as one of only three players to retain their place from the Sky Bet Championship win over Hull, was always going to be the star attraction against the lowest-ranked team left in this year’s competition.
The 34-year-old left Manchester United in 2017 as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and it was the Red Devils who stood in the way the last time Northampton got as far as the fifth round.
But, looking to match their 1970 counterparts, it was the hosts who almost took the lead with less than five minutes on the clock, a deep corner leading to a goalmouth scramble which ultimately saw Vadaine Oliver’s strike bouncing behind off the crossbar.
In terms of actual chances, it was still Northampton creating the vast majority, Andy Williams with a fine turn and shot which flashed just wide of Kelle Roos’ goal after 25 minutes.
Most of Derby’s early opportunities were blocked before getting anywhere near David Cornell in the hosts’ goal, with Chris Martin the next man to be denied by brave Northampton defending.
The rest of the half passed with little incident, with Derby then making a stronger start after the interval as Rooney’s corner was headed inches over the top by Curtis Davies.
Rooney, fresh from a lung-bursting defensive run, almost scored directly from a late corner but there was no late goal to settle the tie and the pair will both enter Monday’s draw for the last 16.
