Aidy Boothroyd handed debuts to his trio of loan signings, Adams, Harding and Asante and saw another loanee, Berahino, open the scoring.
Hosts Shrewsbury levelled but were unable to get a winner to add to their 7-2 thrashing of the Cobblers back in November.
The result means Northampton are off the bottom of League Two and in good heart to continue the climb to safety in 2012 with Boothroyd in upbeat mood when he spoke to the official club website after the game.
"The players are fighting for the cause," he said.
"I know we will turn the corner and there are better times ahead."