Despite late pressure, Peterborough United couldn't break down a stubborn Notts County rearguard and were forced to settle for a point as this topsy-turvy campaign took another twist.

The home side made a positive start with Frenchman Claude Gnakpa firing over the crossbar inside the opening 60 seconds after slick build up which began at the feet of George Boyd.

Mackail-Smith hooked a volley wide of the target after a flick on from Gnakpa moments later as Posh continued to dominate the early exchanges.

A looping header from Craig Morgan landed on the roof of the net on 11 minutes but County were beginning to look more composed in possession and with Jason Lee in attack it was obvious they would be deploying the target man tactic.

A quick turn and shot from Boyd was well saved by Russell Hoult on 22 minutes less than 60 seconds after a strong penalty claim for a foul on Mclean was waved away by the officials.

Experienced goalkeeper Hoult produced a fine finger tip save to push over a Boyd shot after a Low cross some how managed to reach the back post.

Morgan should have broken the deadlock on 37 minutes after a well flighted cross from Dean Keates, the defender heading into the ground and consequently over the bar when left unmarked inside the area.

A snapshot from Boyd was then well held by the increasingly over-worked Hoult, but in truth the effort was straight at the former Derby shot stopper. Mclean sent a low shot wide of the far post after taking a difficult pass in his stride and creating a bit of room for himself as the first half drew to a close.

Boyd fired wide from a quickly taken free kick on 53 minutes as the hosts made a relatively slow start to the second period. Lewis made his first save of the afternoon to deny County new signing Wayne Corden as the Magpies threatened the Posh goal for the first time in the match as the game came to the hour mark.

Lewis produced a fine save from close range to deny Michael Johnson a great goal for the visitors as Posh began to struggle as the visitors sat deep. Keates sent a half volley wide of the target on 71 minutes before County made their first substitution as Andy Parkinson entered the fray.

Lewis denied Corden at the second attempt after the on-loan winger got a lucky run of the green in a 50/50 challenge with Hyde. Mclean fired wide after a neat flick on from Hatch but Hoult was still fairly untroubled in the Magpies goal.

Scott Rendell replaced Boyd in a final substitution for Posh with 15 minutes to go a goal from the former Cambridge United midfielder would certainly be very welcome as Posh desperately tried to break the deadlock.

The clearest opportunity fell to substitute Lee on 84 minutes after a superb cross from Gnakpa the former Tottenham Hotspur midfield man heading straight at Hoult who made a superb save.

The pressure was beginning to intensify as County sat deeper and deeper trying desperately hard to cling to a goal-les draw and when Day floated a free-kick over the bar on 87 minutes, they thought they had done enough and time was running out for the hosts.

Despite a late push, which included a corner kick won by Mclean in stoppage time, Posh couldn't force an equaliser and with MK Dons, Darlington and Hereford securing victories, the euphoria of a title charge suddenly became a nervous look over the shoulder.

Final Score: Peterborough United 0-0 Notts County

Referee: Mr R Lewis (Shropshire)
Attendance: 7,173 (453 County fans)