Drewe Broughton and Peter Hawkins were both sent-off as Rushden & Diamonds suffered a 2-0 defeat at Nene Park at the hands of Mark Wright's Peterborough United with Peter Gain and Richard Logan on target for Posh.

Rushden made a lively start to the game, winning an early corner and after a poor punch from Tyler, Pearson had a good chance to open the scoring, but his shot was blocked by Holden. O'Grady then fired over as Posh made a slow start to proceedings.

A terrible back-header from Arber allowed Taylor to nip in front of Tyler moments later, but the striker headed wide as Diamonds penned Posh back. The hosts were certainly on top in the first quarter of an hour, winning the second ball and putting the back-line under immense pressure.

Kelly dragged a shot wide on 20 minutes as Posh looked lethargic in dangerous areas. However, on 21 minutes, Posh broke the deadlock as a deep cross from Carden picked out Arber and his down-ward header across the box was converted by LOGAN who fired home his second goal of the season.

Richard Logan celebrates after giving Posh the lead

A good piece of individual skill from Benjamin saw him thread an excellent pass to Newton and his cross picked out Holden, but he couldn't wrap his foot around the ball at the far post and the goalkeeper smothered the effort.

With the oldest player at 26-years-old, the hosts were using their youthful enthusiasm to great effect, making the Posh defence do plenty of running, although the aerial threat of O'Grady was causing a few problems.

O'Grady had a good chance to level the scores on 38 minutes as Kelly floated a corner onto the striker's head, but he powered his effort over the crossbar. On 47 minutes, Posh counter attacked at great pace following good initial work from Benjamin with Carden running clear down the right hand side and he saw a cross-shot tipped around the post by Young.

Rushden made a change at the interval with ex-Posh striker Drewe Broughton replacing Taylor in attack. Posh made a sluggish start yet again and were nearly punished on 51 minutes as McAfferty found space at the near post, but he fired wide after good work from Pearson.

After nine minutes of action, Broughton was cautioned for a late challenge on Carden as the referee stamped down on any physical contact that ended with a player taking a tumble. This came to a head on 58 minutes as the only experience in the team, Hawkins, was dismissed for a second caution after tripping Newton.

Manager Barry Hunter was then red carded for abuse of the fourth official as the discipline started to disappear in the home side's squad. Posh were beginning to catch the home side on the break and on 64 minutes, Newton wasted a chance to play in Carden. Benjamin was then inches away from converting a Newton cross as Posh pressed for a killer second goal.

Kennedy volleyed over from 25-yards on 56 minutes after Gain's cross was only half cleared. Logan saw a shot blocked after good work from Newton moments later. Nicholls saw a long-range shot clear the crossbar on 71 minutes before Burton was replaced by Chris Plummer.

Posh made the game safe on 76 minutes as a great ball from Kennedy picked out GAIN and he nodded the ball into his path and smashed the ball past Young at the near post. He was then booked for his celebration by the overly fussy referee. Logan was then inches away from converting a Newton centre as Posh became rampant.

Peter Gain secures the points for Posh


Gain celebrates with the Posh faithful

Benjamin nearly lofted the ball over Young with a deft chip on 80 minutes, but the goalkeeper did well to get back and claim. On 82 minutes, Broughton received his second caution for another stupid lunge as Rushden were reduced to nine men. Logan immediately saw a shot blocked after a good cut-back by Newton.

Final Score: Rushden & Diamonds 0-2 Peterborough United

Rushden: Young, Gulliver, Hawkins, Pearson (sub Grainger 72min), Dempster, Nicholls, McAfferty, O'Grady, Taylor (sub Broughton 46min), Kelly, Okuonghae. Unused subs: Woodman, Wark, Tomlin.

Posh: Tyler, Holden, Kennedy, Carden, Burton (sub Plummer 73min), Arber, Gain, Benjamin Newton (sub Semple 85min), St. Ledger, Logan (sub Crow 86min). Unused subs: Harrison, Day.

Referee: Mr A Hall
Attendance: 4,403 (1,605 Posh fans)
Sent off: Hawkins 58min (second caution), Broughton 82min (second caution)