Scott Rendell scored his first goals for Peterborough United as Darren Ferguson's men returned to the top of Coca-Cola League Two following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Lincoln City in front of over 8,000 supporters at London Road.

The hosts made a lively start to the League Two fixture winning an early corner kick which resulted in Scott Rendell glancing a header wide. Imps goalkeeper Alan Marriot then produced a fine save to deny Aaron Mclean after the striker outpaced the Imps defence with full back Gary Croft doing exceptionally well to clear the loose ball as it rolled agonisingly towards the goal. Mclean then headed straight at Marriot as Posh dominated the opening exchanges.

A George Boyd cross escaped everyone in the six yard box including Chris Whelpdale at the back post before Craig Morgan headed tamely at Marriot as the chances continued to be created by Posh.

The deadlock was finally broken on 18 minutes and it had certainly been coming as Marriot twice denied Boyd but he was powerless to stop MCLEAN from ramming home the rebound for his 30th goal of the season.

Mclean was denied a second goal by a sprawling save from Marriot who was certainly overworked in the Imps goal. A delightful move from the home side saw a slick one-two between Newton and Whelpdale with the former seeing his cross just by-pass Rendell at the far post.

Mclean drove a shot wide of the target after a neat flick from Rendell as Posh went in search of a second goal before the interval. Marriot stopped a low shot from Boyd moments later after cutting inside from the left. Daniel Hone was cautioned for hauling down Mclean and from the resulting set piece Mclean squandered a superb opportunity to extended the lead after being left unmarked from a Jamie Day free kick as he headed over the cross-bar.

Newton curled wide in first half stoppage time and Lincoln were certainly grateful to hear the half time whistle.

Posh doubled their advantage as Lincoln were a man short as Rendell made a superb run and cut the ball back expertly for top scorer MCLEAN who swept the ball passed Marriot and into the back of the net. Boyd squandered a fine opportunity to make it 3-0 after a superb cross from Mclean with the winger firing over the bar with his left foot after being left unmarked at the near post.

Whelpdale then fired a cross-cum-shot just passed the outstretched boot of Rendell as Posh pressed for the third goal. Nat Brown made a fine block to stop Mclean completing his hat-trick on 53 minutes as the Imps appealed in vain for offside. It was 3-0 to a rampant Posh side on 56 minutes as a long throw from Whelpdale picked out RENDELL and he took a touch before squeezing the ball passed Marriot at the near post as the former Cambridge United man scored his first goal for Posh.

Mclean was denied by a fine save from Marriot after out-muscling Beevers with the goalkeeper denying the front man his hat-trick following a fine through ball from Boyd. Boyd then crossed for Whelpdale to score at the far post but the offside flag was already up to deny the former Stevenage Borough player.

Posh made it 4-0 on 67 minutes and it was another well-taken goal from RENDELL who raced onto a neat flick from Mclean to fire the ball through the legs of Marriott and into the bottom corner of the net. Boyd then fired over as the one-way traffic continued and the home faithful were lapping it up, screaming for a fifth goal.

Jamie Forrester cracked a volley well wide of the target in a rare attack for the Imps, but even that opportunity only arose from Westwood's clearance rebounding off the legs of Morgan. Charlie Lee headed straight at Marriot from a Keates cross while Morgan made a superb tackle to stop Forrester converting Wright's cross.

Whelpdale was denied a fifth goal for Posh due to a fine block from Beevers after Newton raced clear down the right hand side. Forrester saw his attempted chip fly over the crossbar on 81 minutes as Joe Lewis continued to remain a mere spectator. Wright hooked a volley wide of the target on 88 minutes as the Imps threatened a consolation goal. Boyd received a standing ovation as he was withdrawn in the final moments with Josh Low getting five minutes of injury time to shine.

The day for Posh was complete with the news that Darlington had been beaten at home to Bradford City as the large crowd left London Road delighted by their afternoon.

Final Score: Peterborough United 4-0 Lincoln City

Referee: Mr A Haines (Tyne & Wear)
Attendance: 8,035 (1,007 Imps' fans)