After criticising his side's display against Morecambe on Saturday manager Gary Johnson will have been happier after seeing the League One promotion favourites pushed all the way at Sixfields.
Michael Jacobs scored a quickfire equaliser after Huddersfield had taken the lead through McDermott late in the first-half but, with the game set for penalties, Novak netted a late winner for the Terriers.
An improvement then for Northampton who travel to Southend on Saturday for a League Two fixture.