A Paul Murray-inspired Carlisle dominated for long periods but failed to create many clear-cut chances, and they found Cobblers keeper Mark Bunn in inspirational form when they did break the tough Northampton defence down.
Town took the lead just two minutes into the second half after an embarrassing mix-up in the Carlisle defence. Substitute Ryan Gilligan, with his first touch of the ball, drilled a cross into the heart of the Cumbrians defence.
Captain Kevin Gray appeared to have it covered but, at the last second, left the ball to his keeper, Keiren Westwood.
With both of them flat-footed, striker Scott McGleish nipped behind Gray to poke his side into the lead.
For the first time this season, Carlisle were a goal behind at home, but they responded with a gusto that should have won them the match.
Hawley pulled them level just before the hour when Murray stretched to reach Simon Hackney's cross and hooked the ball back to the striker. With his back to goal Hawley span his marker on the six-yard line and fired past the outstretched Bunn.
With that the Cumbrians found an extra gear and Hawley, Murray and Hackney could have done better before Chris Lumsdon missed an all-too easy header from ten yards.
Carlisle also had the better of the first-half chances and Murray, in particular, will wonder how his name escaped the scoreboard.
His best chance came from a Hawley cross that he headed at full stretch down towards the goal until Bunn dived instinctively to save superbly.
The Cobblers had chances as well, though, and Luke Chambers was unlucky to see his goalbound header cleared by Hackney on the line.
Andy Kirk and McGleish briefly threatened, but on a day when both teams were looking to keep unbeaten home and away records respectively, a draw was always the likely result.