Match Report

Jason Crowe's stoppage-time sending-off cast an unnecessary cloud over this entertaining local derby which the visitors should have won.

Crowe was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence, something his manager Stuart Gray described as 'a tired tackle'.

Peterborough led through George Boyd's fierce 16-yard shot after the cultured midfielder had swapped passes with Craig Mackail-Smith who was easily the outstanding player on the field.

But Posh should have put the contest out of Northampton's reach as Mark Hughes needed to block a goalbound shot by Mackail-Smith after a mix-up between the defender and Chris Dunn, while the home goalkeeper twice saved from Chris Whelpdale inside a minute.

At the other end, Karl Hawley made an impressive debut following his loan move from Preston this week and saw a header deflected wide and caused a constant problem to the visitors.

Northampton could have levelled in the 40th minute when Luke Guttridge rattled the crossbar with a 30-yarder, but it was Guttridge who teed up Colin Larkin two minutes later, allowing the forward to bury a low shot past Joe Lewis.

Peterborough created the bulk of the chances in the second half but were guilty of some slipshod finishing.

In the 56th minute, Ryan Gilligan blocked a goalbound Mackail-Smith shot while goal hero Boyd blotted his copybook by missing the target two minutes later.

But the biggest howler arrived 13 minutes from time when Mackail-Smith carved open the home defence down the right and delivered an excellent cross for Scott Rendell only for the former Cambridge to screw badly wide.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides